Xzibit - Kingmaker (Album)

Photo Credit: Adam B @tourlifehq

Xzibit is back and bolder than ever. An icon of West Coast hip hop, his first album in 12 years, Kingmaker, features collaborations with the most iconic names in the genre, including Dr Dre, Ice Cube, Busta Rhymes, Redman, B-Real and Ty Dolla $ign, and is set to release on May 16th via Greenback Records.

Dropping alongside a new music video for the title track, Kingmaker authentically captures the perspective of one of hip-hop's most iconic figures, 28 years deep in the game. X has reached his final form, not pandering to trends but perfectly delivering a sound that best represents him in this moment. While he’s previously had to make music in an environment of “chaos”, now X’s music derives from a more relaxed place where he can “gather his thoughts and shoot them directly,” making for an authentic body of work.

Showcased through key moments like the trap track ‘Genesis’—a first for Xzibit—and the hard-hitting topical ‘Crash’ ft. Royce da 5′9, X draws on a vast reservoir of experience, revealing a vulnerable, through mature, thoughtful writing that illustrates significant personal and artistic growth while staying true to his craft.

There’s a dual meaning behind Kingmaker. In one way, it’s about giving new talent, like Compton AV, Guapdad 4000 and Tre Capital, a platform or a cosign, helping make them into a king. In another sense, it’s about a king teaching his disciples, with each track conveying a lesson or principle that has contributed to Xzibit’s success. “A Kingmaker is someone who helps others rise—whether it's through collaboration, mentorship, or opening doors,” he explains. “I've had a lot of people do that for me. Now, I want to be able to do the same thing for the next generation.”

So far from Kingmaker – an album that was nearly scrapped five times, according to X – fans have heard the album opener ‘Play This At My Funeral’, the soulful ‘Been A Long Time Pt. 2’, dressed in the sweet vocals of Jenn Em, the powerful ‘Everywhere I Go’ (ft. Dem Jointz), followed by funky-yet-fierce ‘Shut Yo Mouth’ featuring Compton Av. & Butch Cassidy. In May, to mark the album release comes the hotly-awaited focus single ‘Leave Me Alone’, a collab with the Grammy-nominated Ty Dolla $ign and legendary producer Dr Dre.

In the lead-up to Kingmaker, Xzibit has been opening up on some of the world’s biggest media platforms, diving deep into his legacy, challenges, and evolution. On the podcast Drink Champs, he reflected on his ability to connect with both underground and mainstream audiences, the struggles of West Coast artists during East Coast dominance, and the lessons learned from the iconic Up in Smoke tour.

On the podcast Bootleg Kev, Xzibit opened up about personal and professional milestones, including Kendrick Lamar’s influence, his experiences with Dr. Dre, and the impact of his divorce. Meanwhile, in his ABC News interview, he explored the vulnerability woven into Kingmaker, emphasising how his personal struggles and triumphs shaped an album that fans can truly relate to.

The incredible Kingmaker by Xzibit drops on May 16th, alongside single ‘Leave Me Alone’ ft. Dr. Dre and Ty Dolla $ign.