Alvin Nathaniel Joiner, known professionally as Xzibit, is an American rapper, actor, television presenter, radio personality, and record executive. Born on September 18, 1974, in Detroit, Michigan, he established his musical identity in Los Angeles and became one of the most recognizable voices of West Coast hip hop. His style combines forceful delivery, street-level storytelling, technical confidence, and an often confrontational sense of humor.
Xzibit began rapping in the early 1990s under the name Exhibit A. After moving to Los Angeles, he became associated with the Likwit Crew, a collective that included Tha Alkaholiks and Defari. His first notable recorded appearance came on Tha Alkaholiks' 1995 album Coast II Coast, helping introduce him to the region's underground rap audience.
He signed with Loud Records and released his debut album, At the Speed of Life, in 1996. The record presented Xzibit as a serious, sharply focused lyricist, balancing personal material with observations about violence, ambition, family, and survival. Its single "Paparazzi" became his first Billboard Hot 100 entry. The follow-up, 40 Dayz & 40 Nightz, arrived in 1998 and strengthened his reputation through tracks such as "What U See Is What U Get."
Xzibit's breakthrough came with Restless in 2000. Executive produced by Dr. Dre, the album connected his underground credibility with a larger commercial audience. It reached number 12 on the Billboard 200 and included "X," his signature anthem and most successful solo single. His visibility increased further through the Up in Smoke Tour with Dr. Dre, Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, and other major hip hop artists. He also appeared on prominent recordings by Eminem and Limp Bizkit, demonstrating his ability to work across different corners of mainstream rap.
The album Man vs. Machine followed in 2002 and reached number three in the United States. Xzibit continued with Weapons of Mass Destruction in 2004 and Full Circle in 2006, while also developing his own Open Bar Entertainment label. Although these releases did not match the commercial impact of Restless, they extended his position as a durable West Coast artist with a strong collaborative network.
From 2004 to 2009, Xzibit reached an audience beyond music as host of MTV's reality series Pimp My Ride. His energetic presentation style and comic timing made him the program's defining personality. The television success led to acting roles in films including Gridiron Gang, The X-Files: I Want to Believe, Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans, and Sun Dogs. He later played Shyne Johnson on the television drama Empire and appeared in other television productions.
After a period in which acting and television occupied much of his public profile, Xzibit returned to music with Napalm in 2012. He also became associated with the hip hop group Serial Killers, performing alongside B-Real and Demrick. His eighth studio album, Kingmaker, was released in 2025 and featured appearances from Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, Busta Rhymes, Redman, B-Real, Royce da 5'9", and Ty Dolla $ign. The album reaffirmed his preference for direct, traditional rap writing while presenting him as an established artist reflecting on experience, mentorship, and artistic longevity. Throughout his career, Xzibit has maintained a distinct identity as both a respected rapper and a highly visible figure in music and entertainment.