Personnel: Xzibit; Strong Arm Steady, Keri Hilson, Busta Rhymes. <p>Xzibit's fifth record, WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION, finds the always-fierce, ever-clever MC, as rough and tough as ever. After emerging from the crowded mid-1990s West Coast hip-hop scene, Xzibit gained critical success and rose to mainstream recognition with hit records, commercial spots, and a role as the charismatic host of MTV's PIMP MY RIDE, leaving him with little to prove, but still much to say. Aided by some of the best producers in the game (Timbland, Hi-Tek), the able rapper rolls through this thoroughly engaging album. <p>As the title implies, WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION displays some political leanings, opening with the deft, subversive use of George W. Bush's own voice on "State of the Union." However, other than an occasional allusion to war and discontent, protest is more of a sidebar, as WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION is more descriptive of Xzibit's rhyming style--hard, focused, and backed with brutal, yet alluring, beats. "Hey Now (Mean Muggin)" and "Tough Guy" (featuring Busta Rhymes) could play just as perfectly at the club or on the streets. Xzibit closes with his own State of the Union Address, the tender, reflective "Back 2 The Way It Was," a sweet summing-up of his album--complex, compelling, and enjoyable.