History Lyrics – Xzibit

History Lyrics Meaning

[Verse 1]
In this verse, Xzibit talks about the struggles and hate he faced while climbing to success. He says he could write a book on how people hated on him. It wasn’t an easy journey, but he did things the right way. He mentions working with Shady (Eminem) and enjoying success together, rolling Chronic (a reference to weed) while reflecting on their rise. He also references “8 Mile” (the famous film about Eminem’s rise) and the idea of getting rich or dying trying, keeping focus on the prize. He acknowledges reinventing his game and now being involved in documenting his story, while hoping people appreciate the legacy he’s creating. Overall, he’s proud of the history they’re making together.

[Chorus]
The chorus conveys a sense of finality and change. “Hello, goodbye” represents the ups and downs, or the people and things that come and go in life. It reflects how certain moments or people fade away. The line “One shot, one try” suggests taking chances and putting everything on the line, and “the numbers don’t lie” emphasizes that success or failure is clear through results, no matter what others say.

[Verse 2]
In this verse, Xzibit reflects on the tough and competitive nature of the music industry. “You ain’t never walk with the apes, I don’t recommend it” means that the industry is tough, and he doesn’t suggest anyone gets involved unless they’re ready for it. He mentions “hip-hop heavyweights” and references Big Pun, indicating the level of respect he has for those who came before him. He also mentions his “perfect attendance” at the “school of hard knocks,” meaning he has been through many challenges and learned from them. Xzibit talks about how people in the industry talk about money, but he’s not interested in shallow conversations. He calls out those who focus on streams and fake business practices, claiming they’re bad for the culture. He stresses that his home (and the culture) was neglected, but now he’s reclaiming it. He mentions being from a place where “blue streams” (possibly referring to the color of money or real business) mean keeping a distance from fake people. Xzibit points out that people may have talent, but they lack the dedication and belief in themselves. He then shifts to talk about his complicated relationships with women, using metaphors to describe a greedy woman who’s selfish and intense in her behavior. He speaks about his addiction to this lifestyle, saying his life is real, not made up. He critiques people who make empty promises and don’t stand up for anything, calling them contradictions. Finally, he speaks about passing the baton to the next generation, and how his journey continues, referring to himself as someone still working hard despite the obstacles.