Stanisland Magazine

The West Coast rapper unveils soaring hip-hop album

Last updated: 21st May 2025

Featuring a star studded list of names, Xzibit returns to the rap game with a twenty-track album titled Kingmaker.

What You Need to Know

The project includes production from the legendary rapper/producer Dr Dre, and is released through UFC fighter Conor Mcgregor’s Greenback Entertainment in collaboration with X to the Z’s own Open Bar Entertainment.

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His fresh long play is expected to land well with 1990s/2000s hip-hop aficionados, plugging audio aesthetics of a similar vibe.

His first two tracks, Play This at My Funeral and Been A Long Time Pt. 2 received mixed reviews, but love from his fans remains intact. Interestingly, the lead single’s video was shot at Ireland’s Grouse Lodge Studios, a place known for its rich musical history.

Who Features on the Album

The album features a host of rappers, making for a blend of nostalgic charm meets hard-hitting bars and beats.

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The usual suspects line up to partner with the West Coast legend, including Ice Cube, Redman, Busta Rhymes, B-Real (Cypress Hill), Royce Da 5’9”, Ty Dolla Sign, Domo Genesis, and Guapdad 4000

Also making an appearance are some of hip-hop’s rising stars, including prolific wordsmith Symba, and JasonMartin (formerly Problem), whose production skills are an exciting prospect.

Album Review and Final Verdict

We’ve already reviewed the pre-launch singles from the album, and what we found in the rest was essentially an addendum to the rapper’s career. While his lyrical execution is unquestionably high-calibre, the production is inadequate. Even JasonMartin – who generally offers a flawless buffet of beats – falls short, alongside Dr. Dre, who hasn’t been himself of late either.

It’s not until the latter half of the album that we begin to eat, thanks to tracks like Belly Of The Beast, History, For The Love (no thanks to Lorine Chia) which salvage expectations.

Redman’s inclusion over a beat with B-Real for Higher unfortunately loses its shine, despite the rapper’s incredible run of form. Success redeems a little bit of Xzibit’s lustre, thanks to a composition by Will.I.Am that revives hope for a comeback from the LA vocalist.

Overall, it’s a safe play – one above mediocre, but lacking that secret sauce. At times (if I weren’t reviewing) I would skip some tracks; however, there are a few decent joints that will be added to a playlist, such as What U Like featuring Guapdad 4000 and Daygo Fatts.

Buy Xzibit’s ‘Kingmaker’ Vinyl and Stream the Album Online

You can stream Kingmaker on Spotify and Apple Music, as well as YouTube. Vinyl copies can be pre-ordered on Diggers Factory for £30.99.

The Full Tracklist

• Play This At My Funeral
• Everywhere I Go (feat. Dem Jointz)
• Been A Long Time Pt. 2 (feat. Jenn Em)
• The Moment (feat. Busta Rhymes & JasonMartin)
• Earth Is Over
• Leave Me Alone (feat. Dr. Dre & Ty Dolla $ign)
• Belly Of The Beast (feat. JasonMartin)
• History
• Genesis
• Perfect Alibi (feat. Stalone)
• American Idol (feat. Symba)
• Crash (feat. Royce Da 5’9”)
• For The Love (feat. Ice Cube & Lorine Chia)
• Shut Yo Mouth (feat. Compton AV & Butch Cassidy)
• Higher (feat. Redman & B-Real)
• Success
• Notified (feat. King Tee & Cold 187um)
• What U Like (feat. Guapdad 4000 & Daygo Fatts)
• End Of The Day (feat. Tre Capital, Domo Genesis & Adé Békoé)
• Kingmaker