"Being from the east coast, I have to say that in 1996, there weren't a lot of west coast MCs getting promotion over here unless they were signed to Death Row. I was actually blindsided by this album because I had never heard of Xzibit. When I first heard the singles "The Foundation" and "Paparazzi", I had no clue that this guy from the west. I actually thought he was from the east because of his potent lyrics (I know that was a generic compliment, but it's the truth). A lot the LPs being released in 1996 were either classic or near classic, so you had to drop classic or near classic material just to stand a chance. Just look at the material being released during this period:
Outkast: ATLiens
The Fugees: The Score
2 Pac: All Eyez On Me & Don Killuminati The 7 Day Theory
The Roots: Illadelph Halflife
Ras Kass: Soul On Ice
Jay Z: Reasonable Doubt
E 40: Hall Of Game
De La Soul: Stakes Is High
MC Ren: Da Villain In Black
Ghostface: Ironman
Redman: Muddy Waters
This was the level hip hop was at when Xzibit dropped his album. Back in '96 you had to be near classic for anyone to even listen to you. So it's no surprise really that X to the Z dropped such a hot album at the time. At The Speed Of The Life has all the elements of a classic album. The production from E Swift, Diamond D, and Muggs is tight and the guest appearances are on bangin' (especially the criminally underrated Ras Kass and Tash).
There are some suspect joints that keep this album from reaching classic status though. Tracks like "Just Maintain" and "At The Speed Of Life" aren't bad, but they are boring and they keep this album from reaching the classic status that it is so deserving of. But the negative aspects of the album are kept to a minimum.
Overall, this has to be one of the best hip hop releases of 1996. It was heavily slept on though. Believe it or not, a lot of east coast heads still don't know that this album is even out. If you're just getting into Xzibit, then this is the album you should start with because not only is it his first album, it's also his best album. Give it a try, you won't be disappointed.
Standout Tracks: Plastic Surgery feat. Saafir & Ras Kass, Positively Negative feat. King Tee, The Foundation, Eyes May Shine, Carry The Weight, Paparazzi, Bird's Eye View feat. Tha Alkaholiks & Hurricane G (My Favorite)" ~ Norfeest "Yes Yes Y'all"
Samples Used On This Album:
Eyes May Shine
"Minnie's Lament" by Minnie Riperton
"Inner City Blues" by Grover Washington Jr.
"The Start of Your Ending" by Mobb Deep
Paparazzi
"Pavane" by Gabriel Faure
The Foundation
"Just the Way You Are" by Billy Joel
"The Stranger" by Billy Joel
Enemies & Friends
"Enlightment" by Billy Paul
Tracklisting:
01 Grand Opening (Interlude) (1:32)
02 At The Speed Of Life (3:45)
03 Just Maintain (3:21)
04 Eyes May Shine (3:54)
05 Positively Negative (3:36)
06 Don't Hate Me (Interlude) (1:32)
07 Paparazzi (3:56)
08 The Foundation (3:55)
09 Mrs. Crabtree (Interlude) (1:17)
10 Bird's Eye View (4:42)
11 Hit & Run (Part II) (3:49)
12 Carry The Weight (4:13)
13 Plastic Surgery (4:40)
14 Enemies & Friends (4:01)
15 Last Words (Interlude) (1:01)
Music Video For Paparazzi
