Xzibit - The Success Story Of A “Restless” Hip Hop Artist & Entrepreneur | RUNGPG.com

RUN GPG Podcast

He was born in Detroit, Michigan and spent his teenage years in Albuquerque, New Mexico, but somehow, Xzibit ended up dominating West Coast hip-hop.

Born Alvin Nathaniel Joiner, Xzibit is a multi-platinum-selling rapper who did not move to California until he was 18 years old, but it was on the West Coast that he quickly became a hip-hop icon.

It’s all about creativity, which also allowed him to expand his repertoire. Xzibit is also a reality TV star, actor, producer, and entrepreneur.

“I see it as being able to come into an environment that was thriving and had rules and regulations and I was able to assimilate and blend well with the creative process that was happening,” Xzibit said during an episode of the RUN GPG Podcast hosted by David Morrell. “When you level the playing field, with creativity, that’s how you stand out in that environment.”

Xzibit wanted to be an architect and considered hip-hop a pastime. However, he built a solid reputation in the West Coast underground hip-hop scene. Eventually, he caught the eye (and ear) of Grammy-award winning rapper and producer Dr. Dre, who executive produced and helped name Xzibit’s third album Restless.

Dr. Dre also secured Xzibit a spot in the memorable ‘Up in Smoke’ Tour with Dr. Dre, Eminem, Ice Cube, Nate Dogg, and Snoop Dogg, among others.

Xzibit’s popularity transcended hip-hop when he hosted MTV’s Pimp My Ride from 2004 to 2007. He became so popular that he was more recognizable than the pope!

Following the popularity of his reality TV series, the acting offers started pouring in. He had roles in 8 Mile, which starred fellow rapper Eminem, whose framed photographs were on Xzibit’s background during the podcast, and XXX: State of the Union, which starred another fellow rapper, Ice Cube.

Other memorable roles were in the award-winning TV series Empire and films Gridiron Gang and X-Files: I Want to Believe.

Despite his success, there was a time when Xzibit experienced some setbacks that led to a five-year depression.

It wasn’t until he mentored James Savage, formerly known as Jayo Felony, that Xzibit was inspired to believe and start the creative process again.

“I was able to put one foot in front of the other and go from a crawl to a walk, to a run to a sprint, and it took me out of that hamster wheel that I was dealing with,” said Xzibit of the experience.

He shared this and so much when he sat down with David. Here are the other things Xzibit discussed in the RUN GPG Podcast:

• The West Coast hip-hop experience.
• Xzibit’s early music influences.
• How Alvin Joiner became Xzibit.
• Xzibit’s creative process.
• About the Up in Smoke Tour with Dr. Dre, Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, Nate Dogg, and many more.
• Xzibit’s working relationship with Dr. Dre.
• Some of Xzibit’s favorite collaborations are those outside of hip-hop.
• What Xzibit says about Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Obie Trice, and Apathy.
• How Pimp My Ride introduced Xzibit to a much bigger audience, which brought in acting offers.
• Xzibit’s five years in a dark place.
• James Savaged asked Xzibit for help, which in turn helped the rapper get out of his own head.
• Xzibit is hesitant to embrace the term ‘mentor’ but says that he can dish out some good pieces of advice.
• Xzibit says you cannot believe your best praise or your worst criticism.
• The rapper says he had a choice between being a storyteller and telling his story, he chose the latter.
• Acting is something Xzibit really had to work on, unlike music, which comes out naturally.
• Xzibit shares something about Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Nicolas Cage, and Ice Cube.
• Xzibit launched his new business last year.
• Who are the three people invited to Xzibit’s dinner?
• What Xzibit plans to celebrate a year from now.

What’s next for Xzibit? He will be releasing his next album, King Maker.

“Hip-hop is where I started; a successful life is where I end up,” Xzibit said during our podcast when asked how he wants to be remembered.

Contact Xzibit

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/xzibit

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xzibit/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/xzibit

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMqLx2g4eAN3_gJ2qefQ0Xg

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4tujQJicOnuZRLiBFdp3Ou?autoplay=true

Contact David Morrell:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@morrellionaire

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegreaterdavid

Twitter: https://twitter.com/fearofdavid

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