Words By Patrick M.

It’s easy to forget what a force X to the Z was before “Pimp My Ride” was ever conceived. He led the way in representing the West Coast underground with the late 90′s releases At The Speed Of Life and 40 Dayz and 40 Nightz. Three songs off 40 Dayz… remain in constant rotation – “Chamber Music,” “Three Card Molly,” and “What U C Is What U Get.” These three songs resonate with me for their unified raw ferocity and the subtle differences between them exhibit the different ways one can make a timeless song.

On “Chamber Music,” the beat is the star of the show; the marching drums and bass from Sir Jinx’s beat sound positively apocalyptic. The random sound effects, violins and flutes add a sense of disharmony. Xzibit seizes on this vibe by anointing himself the apocalyptic force behind the “Chamber Music.”

“Three Card Molly” features a mellower beat, but the lyrics of Ras Kass, Saafir, and Xzibit more than make up for any lost ferocity. Any chorus that features a line like: “Pull your spine through your mouth and watch your body drop,” won’t be accused of being soft. The verses feature gems from Ras Kass and X of hardcore lyrical imagery and rhyme trickery, ending with the totally inappropriate “Picture yourself crushin’ Xzibit with your tough talk/that’s like Christopher Reeves doing the Crip Walk.” Like any classic posse cut, there’s a competitive edge to the verses, and in trying to outshine each other, the three cards take the game to greater heights.

Despite the Mortal Kombat references in “Three Card Molly,” it’s “What U C is What U Get,” that’s the real finisher. This song is built around a chorus that demands you chant along. The beat and verses are dope in their own right, but it’s the song’s build-up which peaks with the “Players, Pimps, Hustlers…” that stands apart. Also of note is the excellent execution by Xzibit of recognizing this structure and keeping the song moving that make it a classic.

Xzibit’s later commercial success was the result of luck and the help of the Good Dr. Dre, but these tracks got him noticed in the first place. These songs have held up over the last decade and deserve a spin in any Hip-Hop head’s summer rotation.

Xzibit – “Chamber Music,” “Three Card Molly” and “What U C Is What U Get”

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