He graduated from the Cleveland School of the Arts in 1995 where he majored in theater. He is best known for hits such as "Separated" (the remix to which features Kelly Rowland), "My First Love," which one version features Keke Wyatt, and "Read Your Mind" (the remix to which features Snoop Dogg on the extended promo vinyl). He was featured in the remix to the Lloyd Banks song "Karma" from the 2004 album The Hunger for More, and has also had a cameo appearance in the 2004 feature film BarberShop 2: Back in Business.
He also did a remix of The Pussycat Dolls song "Stickwitu." He stated that he refused to cooperate with The Pussycat Dolls at first until they offered him a better contract and to perform it and sing his way for a better single. Avant has also appeared on the Oxygen Network reality TV show Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency when he asked Janice to have models dance with him during the release party of the album Director.
Graduated
Avant Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Then a number on a piece of paper
She's feeling unappreciated
So she files it away for later
See you done got you a lot of passes
Sick of waiting on you to change
Cause you done gave her motivation
She's contemplating bout changing lanes
[Chorus]
You won't know it
It's a perfect disguise
She won't show it
But lips don't lie
(It's okay)
If she shows up with a couple Louie bags that you know you didn't buy
(It's okay)
If you're in the bed and her phone rings in the middle of the night
(It's okay)
If she says she was out with her girls and you know it's a lie
But if she kissed him that's your kiss goodbye
I don't want to be the one
Be the one who said I told you
She ain't trying to stick around
She gone find another shoulder
To take care of her heart
Don't be surprised if she walk away
Cause somebody else is waiting for you to slip so they can take your place
[Chorus]
Don't let her get away
Don't make her pay for your mistakes
You'll be lying to yourself if you think
She won't be with someone else
If you really want to make it right
Be the only one on her mind
What goes around comes back around
And you don't want to be short
[Chorus]
The song "Graduated" by Avant is a warning to men who take their partners for granted. The lyrics describe a woman who feels unappreciated and is considering leaving her partner for someone who will value her. It starts with a conversation, possibly a fight, and then the woman is given a number on a piece of paper. She files it away for later, indicating that she is contemplating her options. The woman is tired of waiting for her partner to change and has now found motivation to consider changing lanes.
The chorus warns that her partner won't know that she is thinking about leaving. She's a master at disguising her emotions, and he won't suspect anything until it's too late. The lyrics describe some situations where her partner might realize that something is amiss, such as if she shows up with expensive bags he didn't buy, or if her phone rings in the middle of the night. The chorus ends with a warning that if she kisses someone else, he'll lose her for good.
The second verse takes a different tone. The singer doesn't want to be the one saying, "I told you so," and warns the partner not to take his woman for granted. He urges the man not to let her pay for his mistakes and warns him that someone else is waiting to take his place. The verse ends with a plea to make it right and be the only one on her mind.
In summary, "Graduated" is a song about a woman who is considering leaving her partner due to feeling unappreciated. The chorus warns that her partner won't know until it's too late, and the second verse urges him to make things right before someone else takes his place.
Line by Line Meaning
Starts with a conversation
The situation begins with a conversation between the couple.
Then a number on a piece of paper
The woman writes down a number, which seems to be important.
She's feeling unappreciated
The woman feels that she is not valued by her partner.
So she files it away for later
The woman takes note of the number and decides to think about it later.
See you done got you a lot of passes
The man has been given many chances to improve his behavior.
Sick of waiting on you to change
The woman is tired of waiting for the man to change his ways.
Cause you done gave her motivation
The man's actions have motivated the woman to consider leaving him.
She's contemplating bout changing lanes
The woman is considering leaving the relationship for a different one.
You won't know it
The man will not realize what is happening.
It's a perfect disguise
The woman is masking her true feelings and intentions.
She won't show it
The woman will not reveal her plans to the man.
But lips don't lie
The woman's true feelings will eventually become evident.
(It's okay)
Despite the man's actions, the woman is still okay.
If she shows up with a couple Louie bags that you know you didn't buy
The woman may start spending money on luxury goods, implying that someone else is buying them for her.
(It's okay)
The woman is still okay despite her actions.
If you're in the bed and her phone rings in the middle of the night
The woman may receive a call from someone else while they are in bed together.
(It's okay)
The man should not be concerned about the woman's actions.
If she says she was out with her girls and you know it's a lie
The woman may lie to the man about where she was and who she was with.
But if she kissed him that's your kiss goodbye
If the woman kisses someone else, it will be the end of their relationship.
I don't want to be the one
The man does not want to be the person to say 'I told you so'.
Be the one who said I told you
The man does not want to be the person who warned the man about his actions.
She ain't trying to stick around
The woman does not want to stay in the relationship.
She gone find another shoulder
The woman will find someone else to lean on.
To take care of her heart
The woman needs someone who will take care of her emotions and feelings.
Don't be surprised if she walk away
The man should not be shocked if the woman decides to leave him.
Cause somebody else is waiting for you to slip so they can take your place
Another person is waiting in the wings to take the man's place in the woman's life.
Don't let her get away
The man should not let the woman leave him for someone else.
Don't make her pay for your mistakes
The man should not make the woman suffer for his mistakes.
You'll be lying to yourself if you think
The man should not deceive himself into believing that the woman will stay with him despite his actions.
She won't be with someone else
Another person will replace the man in the woman's life.
If you really want to make it right
If the man wants to save their relationship, he needs to take action.
Be the only one on her mind
The man needs to be the only one in the woman's thoughts and heart.
What goes around comes back around
The man's actions will have consequences.
And you don't want to be short
The man should not want to be left with nothing after losing the woman he loves.
[Chorus]
Repeating the chorus of the song.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: COOPER DOUGLAS MCGILL, MYRON LAVELL AVANT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Brad Burriss
on Everything About You
Dominique