After a 12-year hiatus, Xzibit is back with his upcoming album Kingmaker, marking a fresh chapter in his already iconic career. Set to drop in early 2025, this album will be his first release since Napalm in 2012 and features both hip-hop heavyweights and rising stars from LA.
In an exclusive interview with NME, Xzibit revealed that his lead single “Play This At My Funeral” is a personal reflection of where he stands mentally and emotionally. "It is a morbid title but I think "Play This At My Funeral" has nothing to do with me dying," he explained. Kingmaker promises to dive deep into the highs and lows of his journey, without the typical focus on royalty or status. “This is a snapshot of where I am mentally, physically, emotionally. Some finite statements are made in there. I think it’s really dope to be able to come back and show people where I am, what I’ve been doing, what I’ve done, so it answers a lot of question.”
With collaborations that span the old guard and fresh talent, Xzibit believes the energy of Kingmaker will stand out in today’s crowded hip-hop landscape. And while the industry is buzzing with quick-hit trends, he’s not feeling the pressure to chase them. “I don’t care what’s going on in the industry. I don’t care what people are doing or following trends. I don’t need to do that. I just need to do what I do well,” he confidently shared.
Though he initially considered Kingmaker to be his last album, Xzibit now has second thoughts. “When I first started making this album, this was the idea like, ‘OK, let me put one more out into the universe,’ but the way this album came out, everybody around me is telling me that this is not my last album. I’m not gonna say this is my last album but let’s see how this does.”
As a final nod to his eclectic career, Xzibit shared his excitement about signing with Conor McGregor’s new label, Greenback Records. "It’s dope because one thing I do know is that he’s a serious businessman. He has a vision. He approached me to come to work with him. He’s got a great team of people around him and he’s serious. Those things made me feel secure [enough to sign with the label]. I bring credibility to the label being the first album that they drop. I have a long history in the music industry that I feel like they respect my music and are going to put [their] 100,000 per cent behind it."
While Xzibit isn’t ready to call it quits just yet, one thing is certain: Kingmaker will be a powerful reminder of why he remains one of hip-hop’s most respected figures.
