Xzibit Says He Hosted 'Pimp My Ride' Because His Music Career Was Failing

by Daryl Nelson

Xzibit recently spoke with KXNG Crooked on his Crook's Corner podcast where he explained that he created the MTV show Pimp My Ride, which ran from 2003-2006, because his music career had stalled.

The now 44-year-old rapper released his first album At the Speed of Life in 1996 and was also in a supergroup with the rappers Ras Kass and Saafir called Golden State Warriors.

“I didn’t know what to expect when I started rapping,” X explained. “I knew what it was and I know how it feels to be in front of those massive crowds and be in front of all these people and everybody is like singing your songs  and all that stuff. I know how that feels. And I knew how it felt when it didn’t seem to be happening for me anymore.”

X then said although he still enjoyed making music at that time, he had to change things up to take care of his family. 

"That's where Pimp My Ride was created," he explained. "When that was over, I didn’t want to do reality TV anymore …  I wanted to do movies. I immersed myself in being the best actor ... once that happened, I started landing films ... Nobody is going to hand you the secret to success. It doesn’t come in a folder or pamphlet. I had to literally start over.”

What would you say about Xzibits legacy as a rapper?