Hip-hop star Xzibit is so disillusioned with the current state of the rap scene, he's turned to British soul star Amy Winehouse for inspiration. The star only had the chance to listen to Winehouse's latest album, Back To Black, in full this week, but he is amazed at what he heard.

He says, "I hate rap right now. Underground hip-hop is good, but rap is just... whatever. I like Amy Winehouse. When I heard her record, I was floored (in awe). It's music, real music. She's from that era of Etta James and Billie Holiday, Miles Davis, even before Miles Davis. You know, that old, real soulful s**t. I think she's got a good thing going."

But the rapper laughs when asked about a possible collaboration between himself and Winehouse. He adds, "No, I can appreciate music without trying to make it my own!"

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)