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Xzibit

Known for his swaggering bravado and devastating free-styling skills, Xzibit was one of the stars of the West Coast rap scene in the late 1990s, before becoming a successful actor and MTV host. Originally born in Detroit, Xzibit (real name Alvin Nathaniel Joiner) moved to Los Angeles as a 17-year-old after falling out with his preacher father and first appeared on record in 1995 on The Alkaholiks album Coast II Coast. He toured with Likwit Crew before debut album At The Speed Of Life (1996) became an underground hit and produced his classic breakthrough single Paparazzi; which raged against rappers who were only after fame and celebrity. Follow-up 40 Dayz And 40 Nightz (1998) was regarded as one of the great gangsta rap records of the era and he featured on tracks by Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg and Eminem, as his hardcore style developed a more accessible sound on Restless (2000). Xzibit made it to Number 3 on the US charts with fourth album Man Vs. Machine (2002) and, during a period away from music, his fame grew when he presented the hugely popular TV show Pimp My Ride and acted in films such as 8 Mile, X Files: I Want To Believe and xXx: State of the Union.