Xzibit shares what he told Pimp My Ride producers off camera as they created the wildest modification he saw on the show
Published on Apr 22, 2026 at 6:56 PM (UTC+4)
by Henry Kelsall
Last updated on Apr 22, 2026 at 6:56 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Emma Matthews
American rapper Xzibit hosted Pimp My Ride on the MTV channel for six seasons, seeing all sorts of cool cars and some of the wildest modifications on the planet.
But of course, behind the scenes, the reality could be different, and in an interview last year, he spoke about what he told producers when the camera was off.
He did this while talking to YouTuber and podcaster Bootleg Kev, revealing some of the things that went on during filming of the show.
As the interview showed, what goes on behind the scenes of shows like Pimp My Ride can be very different from what the viewer sees.
What did Xzibit say to the producers?
Some of the cars that appeared on the show were sometimes beyond salvation, according to Xzibit.
Yet he said the producers didn’t think that was a problem.
“The producers thought that the show needed that,” he said to Bootleg Kev.
“They were like, ‘No, it’s more entertaining like this,'” he added.
But that isn’t quite how the presenter saw it.
“No, I’m pretty sure these motherf*****s just want a dope car,” said Xzibit.
He felt that all people wanted was a cool and sometimes crazy car to take home.
That wasn’t the only crazy thing to happen on the show.
In fact, saw his fair share of bad builds while working for MTV.
The worst builds showcased on Pimp My Ride
Xzibit said there was no shortage of crazy things that happened on Pimp My Ride.
One, however, really stood out to the rapper.
“But I think the craziest thing was when they tried to make an engine run on cooking oil,” he said.
That wasn’t quite what the rapper wanted to see.
“The car was so dope, I was like ‘why are ya’ll doing that to that car?'” he added.
Seeing such a cool car go through that hit the rapper right in the soul.
He did acknowledge that it was entertaining, and the show certainly did well during its run.
But it was the cooking oil being used to run a car that really made Xzibit double-take.
Even in 2026, the show still holds a special place in people’s hearts.
It came to define car culture and showcased some truly amazing vehicles.
Pimp My Ride timeline
March 2004: MTV premieres the iconic automotive reality show hosted by rapper Xzibit. Focuses on turning beat-up junkers into extravagant cruisers
2004-2005: West Coast Customs serves as the primary garage for the first four seasons, gaining global fame for installing wild gadgets like fish tanks, chocolate fountains, and PS2 consoles
2006: Customization duties officially shift to Galpin Auto Sports (GAS) for the fifth season after the original garage parts ways with the network
November 2006: Activision publishes a video game adaptation for major consoles. Allows fans to virtually upgrade rundown vehicles in the signature style of the series
December 2007: The original US broadcast airs its final episode. Wrapped up a massive six-season run that heavily influenced early 2000s pop culture
2008: The franchise expands its global footprint with a new international edition that sources and modifies vehicles from various European countries
2015: Investigative articles and interviews with former contestants reveal that many of the lavish on-screen modifications were completely non-functional or removed immediately after filming
2015: Additional behind-the-scenes secrets disclose that the famous, hyper-enthusiastic driveway reactions from vehicle owners were heavily staged and required multiple takes
July 2024: Netflix releases Resurrected Rides, a modern spiritual successor created by the original MTV producers
Henry joined the Supercar Blondie team in February 2025, and since then has covered a wide array of topics ranging from EVs, American barn finds, and the odd Cold War jet. He’s combined his passion for cars with his keen interest in motorsport and his side hustle as a volunteer steam locomotive fireman at a heritage steam railway.
