Xavier Amin Dphrepaulezz (born 1968), better known by his stage name Fantas… Read Full Bio ↴Xavier Amin Dphrepaulezz (born 1968), better known by his stage name Fantastic Negrito, is an African-American singer-songwriter whose music spans blues, R&B, and roots music. Negrito made a record deal with Prince's former manager, and later, in 1993, made another deal, this one with Interscope Records. On January 9, 1996, he released his first album, The X Factor, under the mononym Xavier. The album was released on Lexington House Records and distributed by Interscope. He was in a near-fatal car crash in 1999, which left him in a coma for three weeks; he has since said that he felt that this crash "released" him because Interscope terminated their contract with him, after which he resumed hustling. In 2007, he stopped making music, but he returned in 2014, describing his new musical style as "black roots music for everyone". In 2015, he won NPR's Tiny Desk Contest. In 2016, his album The Last Days of Oakland was released on the Blackball Universe label. Negrito won his first Grammy in 2017, when The Last Days of Oakland received the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album.

Never Give Up
Fantastic Negrito Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Sunshine
Walking in the rain
Looking through the city
Walking through the city

Sunshine (right now, America)
Walking in the rain (it is going through a meat grinder because)
Looking through the city (oh)

Walking through the city

Sunshine (you should never give up, you should never give up)
Walkin' in the rain (you should never give up, you should never give up)
Looking through the city (you should never give up, you should never give up)
Walking through the city (you should never give up, you should never give up)

Sunshine (never give up, don't you ever give up)
Walking in the rain (don't you ever give up, don't you ever give up)

Looking through the city (don't you ever, ever, ever give up)
Walking through the city

Overall Meaning

In Fantastic Negrito's song "Never Give Up," the lyrics convey a message of resilience and perseverance in the face of challenges. The repeated phrase "Sunshine, walking in the rain" serves as a metaphor for finding hope and positivity even in difficult times. The act of walking through the city represents navigating through life's struggles while maintaining a hopeful outlook.

The lyrics also touch upon the current state of America, describing it as going through a "meat grinder." This suggests that the country is experiencing distress or turmoil, but despite this, the song emphasizes the importance of not giving up. The repetitive urging, "You should never give up, don't you ever give up" serves as a reminder to stay strong and tenacious.

Line by Line Meaning

Sunshine
Right now, America

Walking in the rain
It is going through a meat grinder because

Looking through the city
Oh

Walking through the city
You should never give up, you should never give up

Sunshine
You should never give up, you should never give up

Walkin' in the rain
You should never give up, you should never give up

Looking through the city
You should never give up, you should never give up

Walking through the city
You should never give up, you should never give up

Sunshine
Never give up, don't you ever give up

Walking in the rain
Don't you ever give up, don't you ever give up

Looking through the city
Don't you ever, ever, ever give up