Xzibit joins KDAY-FM, will debut ‘Open Bar Radio’ on Friday

Xzibit is coming to local airwaves.

The rapper-actor and former host of MTV’s “Pimp My Ride” has been tapped by classic R&B and hip-hop radio station KDAY-FM (93.5) to host and produce a new weekly show.

On Friday, the station will launch “Open Bar Radio.” The weekly show will offer commentary from Xzibit and artist interviews but won’t detour from the station’s commitment to spinning mostly old-school hip-hop.

Born Alvin Joiner, the West Coast rapper went from underground mainstay to mainstream with his third album, 2000’s “Restless,” which remains his most successful album to date.

Although best known for hosting MTV’s hit car makeover show “Pimp My Ride” from 2004 to 2007, he’s also starred in films such as “8 Mile,” “XXX: State of the Union,” “The X-Files: I Want to Believe” and “American Violet.”

Late last year the station was sold to Meruelo Media for $15 million after being on the market for more than two years.

Before selling to Meruelo, which also operates Los Angeles’ oldest Latino television station, KWHY-TV (Channel 22), previous owner RBC Communications was planning to switch the format to Mandarin-language talk radio, which alarmed fans of the old-school hip-hop format and sparked a social media campaign, #SaveKDAY, to protest the potential change in programming.

The addition of Xzibit is part of Meruelo’s plans to beef up KDAY’s on-air team and invest in making it a bigger player in L.A. radio.

The station played a key role in the genre’s formative years in the 1980s when the original KDAY-AM became the first 24-hour hip-hop station in the country. KDAY helped launch the careers of Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, Ice T, LL Cool J and Queen Latifah.

“KDAY is Saved and Growing” Otto Padron, president of Meruelo Media, said in a statement to The Times. “We’re committed to the station, music, the community and this iconic brand known as KDAY. Adding Xzibit to our KDAY family is delivering on our promise. Xzibit will bring rare and exclusive access to hip hop legends old and new.”

“Open Bar Radio,” will premiere Friday at 7 p.m.

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