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For a while, Xzibit
was the west coasts’ best kept secret. His alliance with Tha
Liks combined with two slept-on solo albums made X to the Z an
underground hero. When Y2K hit, Xzibit blew up with the
release of the Restless LP, and is now one of the most
popular MC’s worldwide.
Xzibit is back with his second Dr. Dre executive produced
album, Man vs. Machine. After the successes of
Restless and the Up in Smoke Tour, expectations are sky
high for X. His affiliation with Dre, Snoop, and Eminem
turned millions of fans on to the raspy-voiced L.A. MC, so one
can only imagine if all the pressures of success will get to
X. Like a boxer training for a big fight, X lost 20 lbs.,
quit smoking, and is ready to fight for a spot in the upper
echelon of hip-hop. Or is he?
The first track “Release Date” delves into the mind of a cat
just about to get out the pen after years of being locked up.
X’s tale of prison life combined with a chilling Rockwilder
beat should get any listener amped to hear the albums’ 15
other joints. Rick Rock gets behind the boards on “Symphony
In X Major” as the good Doc and X drop bars combined with an
opera-inspired hook. One of the best parts about Man vs.
Machine is the diversity of songs. X gives a shout to all
the ladies who like it rough on “Choke Me, Spank Me (Pull My
Hair)”, but also has tracks like “Missin’ U”, a poignant
tribute to X’s late mother. Even the radio-friendly joints
like “Multiply” and “Losin’ Your Mind” (feat. Snoop Dogg)
still bring the heat.
An inspired Anthony Hamilton sings the soulful hook on the
funk-laced track “The Gambler”, as X declares “we gon’ be hear
forever like cops and roaches/do not approach us, ferocious/we
pop them toasters”. X takes it coast to coast from “BK To LA”
with the newest Rocafella reps, M.O.P. Eminem and Nate Dogg
colab with X on “My Name”, and I gotta admit that Em’s
production is getting better. The funniest moment on Man
vs. Machine is the Eddie Griffin skit “Bitch Ass Niggaz”.
Despite a reportedly strained relationship with his former
mentors Tha Liks, X still remains true to his underground
roots. X’s side project, the Golden State Project includes
underground MC’s Ras Kass and Saafir, who appear on “Harder”.
The crew is set to drop their first album together next year
on X’s Open Bar Entertainment imprint.
Simply put, Man vs. Machine is a very consistent
album. X brings it to you like a shot of 151. Despite
millions of records sold, Xzibit proves that he is still
street and his formula of hardcore lyrics + rugged beats will
equal another plaque. There’s even a bonus CD with another
Rockwilder joint and a Primo joint on it, so check it out if
you cop the album. X is probably the best MC west of
Detroit. Hopefully, the success will not get to him, and X
will continue to bring the heat.
-Nate Money
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