At The Speed Of Life

10 years later and 6 total solo albums under his belt now, I'd have to say this is his best album, slightly better than ("40 Dayz & 40 Nightz" & "Restless" - both I'd give get 4.5 stars). Before he Pimped peoples rides and starred in TV shows and movies he was a hungry west coast lyricist and it shows on this one. Shorter than all his other albums, at only 11 songs, you get 2 ok ones, 1 classic, 2 almost classic tracks and the other 6 are good songs, a few being real good. Guests aren't too heavy either, on 4 songs. His lyrical hunger can really be felt on this album since he was young and tryin' to make a name for himself (which he did eventually). Production is nice as well. E-Swift & Thayod Asar each do 3 songs, Craig Sherrad does 2, and DJ Muggs, Diamond D & DJ Pen 1 each do 1 song. A nice album for his fans to have and his best solo from his first 6.#2 - 9.5 (nice beat)#3 - 7 (f/ Hurricane Gee & J-Ro)#4 - 8#5 - 9.5 (f/ King Tee -- great beat)#7 - 10 (CLASSIC -- great beat)#8 - 8.5 (deeper song)#10 - 8 (f/ Alkaholiks)#11 - 6#12 - 8.5 (deeper more personal song)#13 - 8 (f/ Saafir & Ras Kass)#14 - 9 (good beat)Alvin Nathaniel Joyner -- Los Angeles, CAcheck all my reviews

The product came right on time. And I enjoyed it a lot.

"landmark debut!"

The best

The track called Paparazzi can't be beat! Best record Xzibit ever made!

pure classic

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.

Xzibit definitely had something going for him from day one. His lyrical depth and awareness is untouchable. Put that together with some great, rugged beats and you have At The Speed Of Life. Xzibit mainly clowns commercial rap which is fine with me. But also he takes on subjects such as life, females, gangsta tales, and sometimes just flat out lyricism. If you like Cash Money, do yourself a favor and don't buy this. If you like REAL hip-hop, you'll love this. The beats are dark, and the sound of this album is extremely East Coast. Actually, if Xzibit and his homies weren't claiming Los Angeles on this album, some of the tracks may even sound East Coast in a way. But it's still a classic from the intro to the outro. Also, Xzibit's joined by a lot of his friends, such as Tash, J-Ro, Hurricane G, King T, and others. The styles of beats range from classical loops, jazz tunes, and underground rappin' beats. "Gets you open like Nicole Brown Simpson".The first song on the album is the deep, "At The Speed Of Life". Here Xzibit basically introduces himself, and what you're going to hear on the album. It has a heavy drum-beat, and a nice laid-back feel. One of my favorites is "Just Maintain". This song features J-Ro and Hurricane G, and they rip up fake rappers. The beat has this cool little keyboard loop I really like. "Eyes May Shine" has more of a menacing beat to it, which sounds really good, and strings in part of it. Xzibit gets rugged on this one, I love the way they put the chorus together on this track. "Positively Negative" almost has a Death Row-like sound to it, and features King T. The two talented emcees trade lines over a bumpin' beat. I now want to clear up this thing about "Paparazzi". This song doesn't sound radio friendly at all, in fact, it condemns fake gangsta rappers over a classical-loop. This is a great song, excellent pick for the first single to represent Xzibit. "The Foundation" is produced by DJ Muggs from Cypress Hill, it is a nice piano-laced track, and definitely has a message. Xzibit spits true game here. "Bird's Eye View" is HILARIOUS! It's a posse cut with Tash, J-Ro and Hurricane G along with E-Swift. J-Ro does a verse making metaphors fitting with alcohol for each city: Brew York, Mi-Ti-Ami, 40-O-hio, crazy lyrics! Xzibit and Tash rip it up too. Classic track. And when Tash says "Lookin' down on your Moms from a bird's eye view", it's bound to get someone laughing. "Hit And Run Part II" is a slower song, but has this great, laid-back keyboard lick. It's the most relaxing thing. Indescribable. Xzibit raps about females here, and there's a skit with Ron Hightower, from the Steve Harvey show. "Carry The Weight" is definitely the most personal song here. Xzibit talks about his life and the things that went wrong. It makes me sad every time I listen but it's true and beautiful. With another classic sample-loop. Then comes the funny songs again: "Plastic Surgery" featuring Ras Kass and Saafir. A song with a jazzy little bass loop, and the three perform "plastic surgery" on all fake emcees to enhance their styles. Classic. Funny song too.To conclude, this whole album is quite good. It shouldn't be slept on. It's better than Xzibit's newer stuff, but that isn't bad either. Xzibit put it down here. No contest, check this one out.

Perfect product as advertised

Great hiphop album

Super!

good

good album to have in your collection