Xzibit Drops 'Kingmaker' with focus Single 'For The Love' ft Ice Cube & Lorine Chia

There’s a moment at the start of Kingmaker where Xzibit lays it out in one line: “Play this at my funeral.” It’s not about theatrics – it’s a tone-setter. This isn’t an album made to chase headlines or prove he’s still got it. He’s past that. Kingmaker is about clarity. A 19-track project that holds its weight not through nostalgia, but because of how intentional it feels.

It’s been 12 years since his last full-length project, and a lot has happened since. But this isn’t a comeback story. X never disappeared. He’s just chosen this moment on his terms to put out something that speaks directly. The album’s executive produced by him, and that control is felt throughout. There’s a focus here that doesn’t lean into proving a point.

Across the record, he pulls from experience without trying to retell the past. 'Crash' with Royce da 5'9 sounds like two grown men having the kind of conversation most people don’t get to hear. 'Everywhere I Go' is less about legacy and more about presence what it means to still be here, clear-headed, and making music that matters.

Then there’s 'Leave Me Alone' - a standout collaboration with Dr. Dre and Ty Dolla $ign. It could’ve been built for chart impact, but that’s not the energy. It’s measured. It's about choosing peace and keeping control of your space. Same with 'For The Love' featuring Ice Cube it feels rooted, not reactive.

There’s versatility across Kingmaker, but nothing feels out of place. 'Shut Yo Mouth' with Compton AV and Butch Cassidy carries the weight and swing you’d expect. 'Genesis' leans into something more modern, but still fits.

And while the guest list is heavy - Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, Redman, Royce da 5’9, B-Real - the album doesn’t rely on features to do the heavy lifting. When he brings in younger artists like Guapdad 4000, Tre Capital, and Symba, it doesn’t feel like a gesture. It feels like alignment. These aren’t handouts; they’re handshakes.

That’s what makes the title work. A kingmaker doesn’t need to explain what they’ve done. The results speak for themselves. Xzibit’s at a point where his role is about structure and substance. He’s not stepping back. He’s just built something bigger than himself and decided it’s time to let people into it.

The album went through multiple iterations before it came out. That shows in the detail not in a way that feels polished to death, but in how little is wasted. Every track has its place. Every word feels considered. It’s the kind of record you make when you’ve done the work and still care about doing it right. Xzibit’s not making statements. He’s making space. For others. For himself. For what comes next.