Veteran rapper Xzibit, born Alvin Joiner, is back in the spotlight after being honored at the KDA/Hip-Hop Honors awards ceremony. In a recent interview, Xzibit offered profound insights into his 25-year career in music and television, revealing the defining milestones that shaped him into a versatile legend.

25 Years and an Undying Passion

Xzibit is currently celebrating the 25th anniversary of his landmark album, Restless, alongside the release of his latest album, King Maker, in May of this year. He acknowledged that 25 years is a long and challenging time in the Hip-Hop industry, especially given the rapid pace of modern music development.

“When we put that record out, it was a really special time for me,” Xzibit shared, recalling the period immediately following the legendary Chronic 2001 and Smoke Tour. He asserted that Restless was not only a commercial success but also a moment that “changed his life.”

What has allowed him to sustain his passion over two and a half decades is his absolute love for music. “It went by fast. It doesn’t feel like work,” he noted.

“Paparazzi”: The Fateful First Tour

When asked about the song that had the biggest impact on his career, Xzibit unhesitatingly pointed to “Paparazzi,” the first single he ever released.

“Paparazzi was the first song I ever put out,” he said. “It went gold in Germany… I ended up going on tour. My first touring experience. This happened in Europe and it kind of really like groomed me into being able to come back here and have a whole different type of presence.” The unexpected international success of this track laid a solid foundation for his global standing.

From Rapper to Global Star Thanks to Pimp My Ride

Beyond music, Xzibit became a global popular icon through his role as the host of the MTV reality show Pimp My Ride. He admitted that, initially, no one predicted the sheer scale of the show’s success.

“It was new at the time,” he explained. “You got to remember there wasn’t a lot of reality TV going on in hip-hop. That was like one of the first, especially dealing with automotive stuff.”

Xzibit believes Pimp My Ride was not just a car modification show but a cultural phenomenon that turned average viewers into car fans. More importantly, the show granted him a “global presence,” allowing him to successfully transition into other fields like film and television.

Naming Dr. Dre as Compton’s Top Rapper

When asked about the heated debate in the Hip-Hop community—specifically about who the top rapper from Compton is (after The Game claimed the title)—Xzibit made a quick and unsurprising choice: Dr. Dre. Xzibit’s respect for his former mentor reaffirmed Dre’s solid position in music history.

Xzibit, after 25 years, continues to prove his appeal and adaptability, maintaining a steady career while making significant impacts in both music and media.