Xzibit
photo credit: Getty Images
photo credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images
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Alvin 'Xzibit' Joiner Alvin Joiner Alvin Nathaniel Joiner

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Xzibit

Xzibit

Active - 1997 - 2017  |   Born - Sep 18, 1974 in Detroit, Michigan, United States  |   Genres - Music, Drama, Family & Personal Relationships

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Biography by AllMovie

Hip-hop star-turned-actor Xzibit was born Alvin Joiner in Detroit, MI, later moving to New Mexico and Los Angeles with his family before releasing his debut album, At the Speed of Life. The releases 40 Days & 40 Nightz and Restless followed in quick succession, and after touring with the likes of Dr. Dre, Eminem, and Snoop Dogg Xzibit was a bona fide hip-hop heavyweight. In 1999, Xzibit began gravitating toward acting, with early roles in The Wash and 8 Mile serving well to show that he exuded as much charisma in front of the camera as he did in front of the studio microphone. More substantial roles in XXX: State of the Union, Derailed, and Gridiron Gang helped to solidify his reputation as a talented screen star, and starting in 2004, Xzibit would highlight some of the most outrageous machines ever to drive the two-lane blacktop as the host of MTV's Pimp My Ride.

Movie Highlights

8 Mile
American Violet
Gridiron Gang
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Factsheet

  • After his mother died when he was 9, he went to live with his father and stepmother in New Mexico, but got into trouble and ended up in state custody as a teen.
  • His parents didn't like rap music and would break his rap CDs when he was a kid. 
  • Released his first solo album in 1996, At the Speed of Life, after honing his skills with guest appearances on the CDs of other hip-hop artists, like King Tee and Tha Alkaholiks.
  • Made his feature-film debut in The Breaks (1999).
  • Known for performing on stage while riding a tricked-out lowrider bicycle.
  • Has participated in the Gumball 3000, and international road rally, several times; lost his license for speeding during the 2007 event. 
  • In February 2010, won a NAACP Image award for Outstanding Reality Series for his work on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.
  • Is a science-fiction fan, though considers himself a "skeptic" regarding the existence of aliens and ghosts. 
  • Prefers writing his rap music, as opposed to letting it flow freestyle.