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Rapper Xzibit and Within Temptation Collaborate on “And We Run”

Posted on May 24, 2014

Detroit-raised Gumball bad boy Xzibit has teamed up with leading female-fronted metal band Within Temptation for their latest single, “And We Run.”

Surprised? Has L.A.-based rap legend Xzibit become a metal-studded head banger?! See for yourself in the band’s brand new video for the song, shot recently in Amsterdam and directed by Tim Smit. Xzibit spent a whole day wired up, running, jumping, and even breaking down walls with his bare hands for his spectacular role. Watch the video here.

The collaboration between Within Temptation and Xzibit is without doubt one of the most talked about metal songs of the year.

When news first broke of the very unexpected pairing, die-hard Within Temptation fans across the globe revolted, leaving thousands of comments in online forums, concerned that their favorite band had made a terrible musical decision.

However, as soon as the band’s new album Hydra album was released, and those fans could hear the much debated song, the record crashed into the Top Ten in every major market, and brought with it a storm of applause for “And We Run.” Performing the song live turned a sold out Wembley Arena crowd into a swirling maelstrom during the current Hydra world tour. It is this overwhelming response which has led the band to choose “And We Run” as their next single to be released ~ on May 27^th ~ as a 6 track EP bundle including alternative and dance mixes plus the unreleased demo tracks “Living On Fire,” “Keep On Breathing,” and “One Of These Days.” Here’s the iTunes link to the And We Run EP.

Xzibit recalls, “When I heard about the inquiry from Within Temptation to do a track together and Googled them, I was surprised to say the least. Once I had spoken to the band and heard the song though it all made total sense and it was fun to discover new ground outside of our genres!”  

Sharon, Xzibit and director Tim Smit watching some shots right before the release of the “And We Run” video

Within Temptation are also excited to be nominated for Best International Band at the 2014 Golden Gods Awards, hosted by leading UK music magazine Metal Hammer.

Within Temptation have a busy summer lined up, performing at many of the world’s most prestigious rock festivals, including Download (U.K.), Sweden Rock (Sweden), Copenhell (Denmark), M’era Luna (Germany) and Loudpark (Japan). In addition, the band will return to the U.S. for a coast to coast tour through September and October. You can find all currently confirmed tour dates here.

This February, Hydra debuted at #16 on the American Billboard Top 200 Albums chart, marking the band’s first appearance in the Billboard Top 20. The album also secured the #1 position on both the Billboard Top Independent Albums & the Billboard Top Hard Music Albums charts. In Europe, Hydra debuted at #1 in The Netherlands & The Czech Republic and secured the #2 position in Switzerland & Finland, #4 in Germany, #6 in the U.K., and #9 in France.