At just 14, the Houston native's become a prodigal son of hip hop and is poised to be the next under-20 superstar, having racked up a list of accomplishments that take most people an entire lifetime to accumulate.
J Xavier has performed live more than 250 times, he has developed his own TV show and has conducted more than 75 television interviews with everyone from Chris Brown and Juvenile to Nick Cannon and Kobe Bryant . J recorded a tribute to Houston Rockets star Yao Ming , scored a track on the recent Pink Panther Wal Mart sampler, collaborated with funk icon George Clinton and in 2004, at the age of 12, J Xavier won PAX -TV's America's Most Talented Kids Show contest.
Further proof of his rising star: At the recent BET awards, he sat in the front row, making an appearance on the red carpet, and he was recently tapped (for the second time!) by Chris Brown to open the chart-topping R&B star's summer tour. What's more, J Xavier has got mad love for the church! The son of a pastor, he preaches positivity, is anti-drugs and anti-violence and urges young adults to get out and vote! J Xavier has big plans to not only make himself stand out from his music industry peers, but also to become a voice for his generation. Advocating fans to stay focused, stay in school, listen to their parents and say no to sex, drugs and violence.
The latest in that slackjawing list of accomplishments is the completion of his debut album, Young Prince of tha South , being released by Noo Day Entertainment through Mathew Knowles ' Music World Music . Says J , “With this album, I want everybody to say, ‘This kid is hot, he's clean and positive, he has the lyrics and he is truly the Young Prince of the South!'”
J Xavier comes from a family of musical children. One of five, his older brother plays trumpet and one of his sister's wrote a song on Whitney Houston 's last album. His father, Samuel Harris Jr. , founder and pastor of The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ in Houston , raised J Xavier in the church, which the young star calls “his foundation.” His father served time in prison and wrestled with drug addiction as a young man, and was determined to not only have a big, loving family, but to raise his kids right, and make up for lost time.
“I always wanted to have a family that would be the opposite of what I experienced as a kid, growing up in a broken home,” Harris says, noting that at his church, he helps the homeless, as well as those inflicted with HIV, and J Xavier has been a part of that. “He knows the value of helping people.”
The seeds of J Xavier's career were planted at the age of seven when he delivered a powerful version of R. Kelly's “I Believe I Can Fly” during a school talent show. “When he sang the song, I couldn't stop crying. It really broke me down,” says his dad. At age nine, J Xavier caught the ear of a member of his father's congregation while playing drums at church. He was invited to cut some demos, and while doing so, he not only fell in love with it, but garnered some serious recognition.
A local hit in Houston in 2003 and 2004, his track “I'm a Rider” earned him the Best Song of the Year in 2003 while his charismatic stage performance and talent earned him Best Stage Performer of the Year in 2004 and Rap Artist of the Year in 2005 at the Houston Holy Hip-Hop Awards . J Xavier also received the Texas Gospel Excellence Award , which was followed by Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee of Houston saluting not only his talent, but his positive outlook on life; in early 2004, she appointed J Xavier a National Black Caucus Youth spokesperson. (He's also since become a spokesperson for the World Youth Foundation Anti-Tobacco Campaign and Youth AIDs / 8 th Wonder of the World .)
Of his positive message, J says, “I'm raised that way, and I want to come in the game and have people say J Xavier is not just talking loud and saying nothing but he's backing it up.”
On Feb. 18 th , 2004 , the mayor of Houston presented the newcomer with a proclamation marking the day J Xavier Day . As he's racked up awards and recognition, his songs have run the gamut: He wrote a track encouraging people 18 and older to get out and vote—a track that was used as a vehicle to teach youth the voting process—and penned an anthem for Houston Rocket Yao Ming , “Yao Ming Wants the Dunk” (which J translated himself into Mandarin Chinese, Ming's native language).
He recorded a remix of “Yao Ming Wants the Dunk” with the legendary funk hero George Clinton , and he's also honored fellow NBA stars Steve Francis and Tracey McGrady with their own theme music by J Xavier , as well as penning rhymes for the Houston Comets, the Houston Texans and the Houston Astros.
After winning America's Most Talented Kids Show contest in August of 2004—at the age of 12— J Xavier started working with a Music World Music producer, and, by coincidence, found himself giving an impromptu performance at a party the company held in Houston a few years ago. “When J started performing, he caught everybody's eye, and [CEO/founder] Mathew [Knowles] comes up to me and says, ‘I need to talk to you. This kid has talent,'” Sam recalls.
In 2005, Knowles signed the young rapper to a co-management deal. “When I first saw him,” says Knowles, “I saw a twinkle in his eye that I haven't seen in any other performer besides Beyonce — J Xavier is a star.”
J Xavier made his debut on the Pink Panther CD sampler, a CD that was bundled with the movie's DVD release at Wal-Mart stores. He was the only artist on the sampler not signed to Sony Records. He then popped up on the Bring It On: All or Nothing Wal Mart sampler. Wal Mart is such a strong supporter of J Xavier's that he is featured in their back to school commercial campaign.
He has since made the leap to the small screen. His upcoming television show, YGTV (Young Generation TV) , features J Xavier interviewing some of his favorite celebrities and personalities. Everyone from actor Nick Cannon and actress Kimberly Elise to New Orleans rapper Juvenile have been enamored with the young star.
While cutting the tracks for Young Prince of tha South , J Xavier utilized aspiring Houston producers. The disc also features guest appearances by hometown heroes Mike Jones and Lil KeKe , a track featuring Houston rap history icon Hawk and a hot collaboration with the legendary George Clinton . The album's first single, “ I Love My Music” hits radio at the end of July .
“All of my music is clean and positive, but it's still hittin' on the level with artists like T.I. and Kanye West ,” says J Xavier . “When I get onstage, the energy from the crowd is crazy and I have that energy, and together it's like, ‘Wow! This is what I was born to do!'
“You can be anything you want to be, do anything you want to do,” he says. “Go with what you feel is right for you and keep God first, because without him we're nothing.”
While not even old enough to drive, J Xavier is already looking five years down the line in his career. By then, he wants to have a few films under his belt, in addition to musical and television accolades. “I just want to make a difference in the music industry,” he says. “I just want to stand out and be different.”
Flashlight
J Xavier Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now, I lay me down to sleep
Ooh, I just can't find a beat
Flash light (ohh, I will never dance!)
Flash light
Flash light
Flash light
Oh, it's no use!
Flash light
Red light
Neon light
Ooh, stop light
Now I lay me down to sleep
I guess I'll go count the sheep
Oh, but I will never dance
(oh, don't make me do it)
(Dance, sucker! ooh ha ha!)
(oww! Get him!)
Most of all he needs the funk (shine it)
Help him find the funk (ha, funk it!)
Most of all he needs the funk
Help him find the funk (get him)
Most of all he needs the funk (I know we can get him)
Help him find the funk (ho!)
Most of all he needs the funk (ha, don't!)
Help him find the funk (I know you will! Dance, sucker!)
Most of all he needs the funk (Shine the spotlight on him!)
Help him find the funk (Oh funk me!)
Ha da da dee da hada hada da da (Dance, Nose! You know you on my funk street
Oh, funk me!
Ha da da dee da hada hada da da (get on down, Nose! I like it! Dance, then!
Flash light
Flash light (oh ho ho!)
Spot light
Neon light (neon light)
Street light (street light)
Oh ho, ha ha!
Everybody's got a little light under the sun
Shinin' on the funk
Shinin' on the funk
Most of all he need the funk
Help him find the funk
Most of all he need the funk (Ha da da dee da hada hada da da)
Help him find the funk
Help him find the funk
Help him find the funk
Ha da da dee da hada hada da da
Oh
Flash light (flash light, flash light)
Flash light (flash light, flash light)
Flash light (oh, flash light)
Flash light (oh, flash light)
Spot light (spot light)
Neon light (ooooh, neon light)
Flash light (ooh, flash light ho!)
Stop light (stop light)
Now I lay me down to sleep
I guess I'll go count the sheep
Ha da da dee da hada hada da da (oh)
Shake your funk (Ha da da dee da hada hada da da)
Shake your funk (Ha da da dee da hada hada da da)
Shake your rump (Ha da da dee da hada hada da da) (ho!)
I think I found the funk
Flash light (flash light)
Day light (day light)
Spot light (spot light)
Red light (ohhh, hooo, red light!)
Everybody's got a little light under the sun
Ha da da dee da hada hada da da
Ha da da dee da hada hada da da
Ha da da dee da hada hada da da
Ha da da dee da hada hada da da
Ha da da dee da hada hada da da
Ha da da dee da hada hada da da
Ha da da dee da hada hada da da
Everybody's got a little light under the sun
Under the sun
Under the sun
Under the sun
Under the sun
Under the sun
Under the sun
Under the sun
Under the sun
Under the sun
In J Xavier's song "Flash Light," the lyrics describe the struggle of someone who is trying to find their groove and get into the rhythm with the funk music that is playing. The singer admits that they are struggling to find the beat and that they cannot dance, despite the encouragement of others. As the song progresses, the lyrics become more focused on finding the funk and helping others find it as well. The singer believes that everyone has a little light that shines on the funk and encourages everyone to find it together.
The repeated lines of "flash light, red light, neon light, stop light" suggest that the singer is trying different approaches to get into the groove of the music, but none of them seem to be working. The addition of the encouragement from others and the call to "help him find the funk" suggests that this is a collective effort, and everyone can work together to get into the rhythm.
Overall, the song is an upbeat, funky track that celebrates the power of music to bring people together and get them moving.
Line by Line Meaning
Now, I lay me down to sleep
The singer is tired and ready to go to bed.
Ooh, I just can't find a beat
The singer is struggling to find their rhythm or groove.
Flash light (ohh, I will never dance!)
The singer expresses a lack of desire to dance.
Ha da da dee da hada hada da da
A nonsense phrase used to create a rhythmic beat.
Oh, it's no use!
The artist is frustrated and sees no hope in the situation.
Red light
A stop light or traffic signal that is red.
Neon light
A bright, artificial light often used in advertising.
Now I lay me down to sleep
I guess I'll go count the sheep
Oh, but I will never dance
The artist is still tired and preparing to sleep, but reiterates their lack of desire to dance.
(oh, don't make me do it)
(Dance, sucker! ooh ha ha!)
(oww! Get him!)
Someone is pressuring the artist to dance, teasingly calling them a 'sucker.'
Most of all he needs the funk (shine it)
Help him find the funk (ha, funk it!)
Most of all he needs the funk
Help him find the funk (get him)
Most of all he needs the funk (I know we can get him)
Help him find the funk (ho!)
Most of all he needs the funk (ha, don't!)
Help him find the funk (I know you will! Dance, sucker!)
Most of all he needs the funk (Shine the spotlight on him!)
Help him find the funk (Oh funk me!)
The artist believes that the person being pressured to dance needs to find their rhythm or groove, expressed as 'the funk.' The artist urges others to help this person find it and encourages them to dance by shining a spotlight on them.
Ha da da dee da hada hada da da (Dance, Nose! You know you on my funk street
Oh, funk me!
Ha da da dee da hada hada da da (get on down, Nose! I like it! Dance, then!
More nonsense phrases used to create a rhythmic beat, with encouragement for someone named Nose to dance.
Flash light (oh ho ho!)
Spot light
Neon light (neon light)
Street light (street light)
Different types of lights, all of which are bright and grab people's attention.
Oh ho, ha ha!
Everybody's got a little light under the sun
Shinin' on the funk
Shinin' on the funk
Most of all he need the funk
Help him find the funk
The singer believes that everyone has the potential to find their rhythm or 'the funk' and encourages others to help them find it.
Shake your funk (Ha da da dee da hada hada da da)
Shake your funk (Ha da da dee da hada hada da da)
Shake your rump (Ha da da dee da hada hada da da) (ho!)
I think I found the funk
The singer urges others to dance and let loose, perhaps implying that they have finally found their own rhythm or 'the funk.'
Day light (day light)
Spot light (spot light)
Red light (ohhh, hooo, red light!)
More types of lights, with a highlight on the stop light or traffic signal.
Under the sun
Under the sun
Under the sun
A repeated phrase to emphasize the universality of everyone having their own inner rhythm or groove.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Bernard Worrell, George Jr Clinton, William Earl Collins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind