Dr. Dre Makes a Thunderous Comeback: Joins Xzibit’s First Album in 13 Years

After more than a decade away from the music spotlight, legendary rapper Xzibit has made a surprise return with his eighth studio album, Kingmaker, released on May 16, 2025. But what truly set the hip-hop world on fire is the unexpected appearance of none other than Dr. Dre — the iconic producer and living legend of American music.

This marks the first time in years that Dr. Dre has returned to a major musical project, sending fans into a frenzy. And it doesn’t stop there. The album also features an all-star lineup, including Ice Cube, Busta Rhymes, Redman, Ty Dolla $ign, Royce da 5’9″, and many more. Kingmaker is quickly becoming one of the most anticipated releases of the year.

The album is a major milestone, signaling Xzibit’s powerful return 13 years after his last studio effort, Napalm (2012). In the announcement for the project, Xzibit described the lead single, “Play This at My Funeral,” as a personal manifesto — a reflection of the ups and downs in his career that shaped him into the man he is today. Not just a rapper, but someone who has endured the tests of time and the industry.

Adding to the surprise, the album was released in collaboration with Open Bar Entertainment and Greenback Records — a newly launched label founded by UFC legend Conor McGregor. This unexpected twist only heightens the album’s uniqueness and impact.

With standout tracks like “Been a Long Time Pt. 2,” “Everywhere I Go,” “Shut Yo Mouth,” and especially “For the Love” — Xzibit’s first-ever collaboration with Ice Cube — Kingmaker is poised to be a defining moment in his career. It also marks a striking “rebirth” for Dr. Dre, who returns as a guiding force in shaping the sound of the next generation.

Hip-hop never died — it was just waiting for the right time to explode again. And that time might just be now.