40 Dayz & 40 Nightz (Edited) Review

07/13/2005 6:21 AM, AMG


L.A. Underground artist Xzibit first surfaced on the Likwit Crew founder and rap game veteran King T single, "Freestyle Ghetto," in 1995. Thus having established himself as a gifted member of one of the Left Coast's premier Hardcore B-Boy sets, the debut album At The Speed of Life soon followed and was met with critical acclaim, primarily on the strength of two stellar cuts: "Foundation" and "Paparazzi." The sophomore effort, Forty Dayz and Forty Nightz, is a second helping of Xzibit's gritty microphone mastery and social consciousness. Xzibit's relentless, in-your-face flow is backed superbly by stirring musical arrangements provided by a slew of producers, namely Sir Jinx, Bud'da and Jesse West. The devastating single, "What U See Is What U Get," is Xzibit exhibiting his signature ruthlessness on the mic. Forty Dayz... features tracks with many guest appearances from West Coast All-Stars. Two of The Golden State's finest, Saafir and Rass Kass, assist in the carnage on the bouncing "Three Card Molly," and The Likwit Crew(Tha Alkaholiks and King Tee) reunite in full on "Let It Rain." Although slightly thin, Forty Dayz... is a solid follow-up album from a highly talented lyricist. [The album was also released in a clean version, with all vulgarities removed.] ~ M.F. DiBella, All Music Guide