Search - Xzibit :: At the Speed of Life

Before "Pimp My Ride" There Was...

~LEON~ | UK | 07/20/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"At the Speed of Life is a powerhouse of 90s hip hop music.



Right from the go, the apocalyptic "At the Speed of Life" sends chills down the spine of anyone with ears to hear as Xzibit establishes himself lyrically, vocally and content-wise as a hardcore, "real" MC who is not afraid to leave behind the unnecessary aspects of "thug life" and rap about things more meaningful and universal.



Xzibit raps from the West Coast, but in no way sounds West Coast, choosing instead to go with a dressed-down, more subtle and intelligent sound we have all come to associate with the East Coast rap outfits.



X delivers all sorts of stories and ideas, including his childhood that involved beatings from a step-parent, time in youth prison and best friends being sent down for life behind bars; a letter to his baby son trying to tell him that there is more to life than can maybe be seen firsthand on the streets of LA, and a track about the cancerous disease that is eating hip hop from the inside entitled Paparazzi.



Without doubt the most powerful song on an album not lacking powerful songs is Paparazzi: an epic of rap music set to a classical sample from Gabriel Faure's "Pavane". Xzibit rides the energy created by the strings and divine female vocals with what has got to be one of the best first verses of hip hop history.



Worth checking out for any fan of rap music, anyone interested in the social commentary on rap music going on from the inside and indeed anyone who can appreciate powerful statements in the form of music.



"

Awesome, lyrical debut...Xzibit comes into his own (4.5/5)

ctrx | 'bout to show you how the EAST COAST rocks... | 12/13/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"In 1996, a little-known west coast rapper named Xzibit dropped his debut album "At the Speed of Life" to little fanfare, but it became one of the best albums of the year and created a new rap star from California. Xzibit separated himself from the g-funk craze that was quickly sweeping the west coast and the entire nation by making lyrical, relevant, and focused hip hop music that was unlike anything else out there. The self described "dysfunctional member of the Alkaholiks" came across as an angry and constantly entertaining rapper who was not only intelligent but extremely talented as well. He has a great flow and uses obscure sounding metaphors to get his point across sometimes. Despite the great production, this album has a distinctly underground feel, kind of like an Alkaholiks record. The production is usually great, mostly dark beats that fit Xzibit's focused sound. Guests on the album include such greats as King Tee and Rass Kass and legends such as Diamond D and DJ Muggs contribute beats. Overall this is a very unique and special rap album that I highly recommend.



After the intro, the album begins with the apocalyptic-sounding title track, which has gritty, underground-style production and Xzibit comes correct on the mic, starting the album on a strong note. The following collabo "Just Maintain" is a more loose posse cut, another strong point. The threatening "Eyes May Shine" has a good chorus and cool electronic sounding beat. X drops raw philosophy over great production on "Positively Negative." "Paparazzi" is the best song, a certified classic that made Xzibit a household name. He brutally challenges the rappers who perform "only for the money and the fame," and each verse is great. The beat is amazing, a soulful, kind of sad melody with strings and a good vocal sample. I also love the very emotional "The Foundation," a song written to the rapper's baby son, the lyrics are really deep and the piano-laced production fits it well. "Bird's Eye View" and "Hit and Run (Part II)" are both very lyrical, subdued, street-level tracks. Over a simple beat, X promises to "Carry the Weight" on a track so titled. I love the song "Plastic Surgery," It's the funniest song on the album. The dark "Enemies and Friends" closes the album on a great note.



"At the Speed of Life" is probably Xzibit's best album to date, a really lyrical and unique album that still sounds fresh and interesting ten years later. It really doesn't sound dated at all. Xzibit is a great rapper who was hungry and emotional, more than ever on this debut. I definitely suggest fans of hip hop purchase "At the Speed of Life," this album really doesn't receive the respect it deserves and is a great record to listen to."