Please note this is an old page and Fly Global Music has now moved. Please follow this link and search for the entry in the new site.

As the appeal of gansta-thug-bling comes to an end, (see Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco, E-40 and even P.Diddy we’re told), Xzbit releases arguably his most political album to date. Recorded in both New York and Los Angeles, this is the follow-up to 2004’s Weapons Of Mass Destruction.

In between times, X has concentrated on ‘Pimp My Ride’. I’ve not seen the UK version (hosted by Radio 1’s Tim Westwood), but there’s no doubt that the success of the show in the US is not so much the car bling excess, but X’s dialog with the punters as they see their rust buckets transform into shiny objects of mobile electrical accessories.

As cool as having a DJ booth in your boot with a glitter ball is, it is not the greenest of shows. In contrast, word reaches Hectic that Dr. Octagon’s ‘Trees’ has been picked up by MTV as part of a national environmental campaign. To be cynical, as MTV celebrate 25 years; they don’t miss many tricks in populist entertainment.

Anyway, back to Full Circle, X and Jelly Roll are no Nick and Jessica show, as ‘Invade My Space’ and ‘Rollin’ (notable for the “Malcolm X to the Z” line) bounce in old Skool fashion. Jelly Roll turns up on ‘Black & Brown’ (it’s about the proportion of non-white inmates in US prisons) and ‘Ram Part Division’ is in ‘Straight Outta Compton’ territory.

So he’s not just a pretty face; ‘Say It To My Face’ he says, “you better come with the Taliban” as he talks tough. And then, the skit on the Donnell Rollins Show is a laugh as he pokes fun at afternoon talk shows that feature paternity tests. It is funny, “you are not the father!” I saw a similar show where after 22 tests, the host told this woman, just love the daughter for who she is (as this woman was rolling’ on the floor in shock that some guy he bumped into wasn’t her 7-year-olds’ Dad). Unbelievable stuff, as there’s all sorts of issues here.

‘Scandalous Bitches’ and the hit ‘Concentrate’ follow the theme of exchanging fluids (I think). ‘Concentrate’ sounds like an Ohmmm goes to Aussie outback but it’s not all about sex as there’s enough of the conscious side of him. There are some 2Pac-type moments; notably ‘The Whole World’, ‘Family Values’ and the closing track ‘Thank You’.

‘On Bail’ (with The Game, Daz and Kurupt) has an odd casbah sounding backing track but it’s my current favourite with the vocodered ‘Poppin’ Off’ and ‘Movin’ In Your Chucks’. All tracks are top quality; explicit content of course, but don’t expect anything approaching nu-Skool rap. X does what he’s always done as he’s very good at it. As he says, in ‘Thank You’, “There is no Plan B”.

I suppose the kings of ride pimpin’ will go head to head on Westwood’s show at some time around the UK release (18th December). My money is on X. By then, the top hip hop stocking filler will be at Comet, the Xzibit voiced Tom Tom Go Sat Nav. Order your copy now to avoid disappointment. X to Z to the I-B-I-T, HO ho ho!!!.

Pimp My Ride US — MTV every Friday from 8.00pm until mid December + Channel FIVE.

Reviewed: Xzibit — Full Circle (Open Bar) Cat. No. 88697034052 Release date: US. 30th Oct 2006 UK 18th December 2006
Tracklisting:
1. Invade My Space (5:17) featuring Jelly Roll
2. Rollin’ (4:12) featuring Jelly Roll
3. Ram Part Division (4:04)
4. Say It To My Face (4:09) featuring] — Kurupt & Don Blaze
5. The Donnell Rollins Show (Skit) (1:41)
6. Scandalous Bitches (3:04)
7. Concentrate (3:49)
8. On Bail (4:38) featuring The Game, Daz & Kurupt
9. Family Values (3:53)
10. Black And Brown (5:48) featuring Jelly Roll
11. The Whole World (4:21)
12. Poppin Off (4:14) featuring DJ Quik & King T
13. Movin’ In Your Chucks (4:55) featuring Too Short
14. Thank You (5:00)

Links:
www.myspace.com/xzibit
Xzibit.com
www.tooshortworld.com
www.myspace.com/kuruptyoungotti
www.comptongame.com
www.dj-quik.net
www.mtv.com Pimp My Ride
Black Independent Voter Network — Black America: We Have a Problem! By Tyra C. Cohen
Tim Westwood :: Tracklisting 9 September 2006 :: Tupac — showcase to represent the great hip hop legend — Xzibit — ‘Concentrate’ (Columbia)
Tim Westwood :: Tracklisting 30 September 2006 :: Nas speaks on new album, Jay-Z, Wembley Arena, State Of Hip Hop — Xzibit — ‘Concentrate’ (Koch)