At only 20 years old, Leven has acted as the bridge between multiple generations and genres of music to create a sound that is both nostalgic and forward thinking. So far Leven has collaborated with Casey Veggies, Thundercat, Parliament Funkadelic's Ricky Rouse, Jojo, and upcoming super-talent Topaz Jones, Zack Sekoff, and Taylor Mackall.
Moving forward, Leven Kali has tons of music set to be released in the very near future. Collaborations with Chicago based rapper Mayo, Los Angeles DJ Venessa Michaels, as well as more solo projects are on the way!
Leven Kali recently stepped away from division 1 golf to focus on his career in music, but still remains a student at UC Riverside studying business and media studies.
Joy
Leven Kali Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
music biz brought me up
trynna ruin all my friendships
but i keep the (joy)
uh, i was eighteen makin' beats in my studio
i did it for the (joy)
now you might feel it take too long
aye, it breaks my heart everytime i turn the news on
i see the police shot another young brother black (boy)
you know he had a mother, father, grandmother, brother, sister
but you see him as another (black boy)
now you might feel it take too long
but we gon' fight and keep on marching to our dreams, oooh
all we want, all we want (yeah), all we want, all we want (yeah), all we want, all we want (yeah)
all we want is (joy)
all we want, all we want (yeah), all we want, all we want (yeah), all we want, all we want (yeah), all we want
uh, around the world man need
some peace on earth man
asking for a change
oh i'm praying for some (joy)
man they blowing up frats
and they killing kids in class
oh we need a little (joy)
now you might feel it take too long
but we gon' fight and keep on marching to our dreams, yeah, yeaah, yeah, yeah, yeah
this land is your land
this land is my land
can we just be grown men
you're actin' like a (boy)
gotta both stand
gotta, hold hands
man, you gotta vote man
that's your only voice
now you might feel it take too long
but we gon' fight and keep on marching to our dreams, yeah, oh, yeah, yeah
all we want, all we want (yeah), all we want, all we want (yeah), all we want
all we want is (joy)
all we want, all we want (yeah), all we want, all we want (yeah), all we want, all we want (yeah)
all we want is (joy)
Leven Kali's song "Joy" is an uplifting and inspiring track that spreads the message of hope and perseverance in the face of adversity. The lyrics reflect on personal struggles and societal issues, but ultimately convey the idea that finding joy is possible even in challenging times.
The opening lines, "so we want (joy), music biz brought me up, trynna ruin all my friendships, but I keep the (joy)" suggest that despite the difficult nature of the music industry, the artist has found a way to maintain a sense of joy and positivity. The next verse delves into Leven Kali's personal history, describing how he began making beats in his studio at age eighteen, driven by a desire for creative expression and joy.
The song acknowledges the struggles faced by marginalized communities, such as police brutality towards black individuals. The lines "it breaks my heart everytime I turn the news on, I see the police shot another young brother black (boy)" call attention to the prevalence of racially motivated violence and the devastating impact it has on families and communities. However, the chorus serves as a reminder that despite the hardship, all we want is joy.
The song goes on to address global issues such as war, terrorism and gun violence. The lines "man they blowing up frats and they killing kids in class, oh we need a little (joy)" convey the sense of urgency for change and the need for hope in dark times. The song ends with a call to action, urging listeners to vote and use their voice to make a difference.
Overall, "Joy" is a powerful and optimistic anthem meant to inspire listeners to find joy and hope in everyday life, even when it seems elusive.
Line by Line Meaning
so we want (joy)
The theme of the song is the desire for joy.
music biz brought me up
trynna ruin all my friendships
but i keep the (joy)
The music industry can be challenging, but the artist chooses to keep the joy alive in the face of adversity.
uh, i was eighteen makin' beats in my studio
i did it for the (joy)
The artist started making music at a young age and continues to do so for the joy it brings.
now you might feel it take too long
but we gon' fight and keep on marching to our dreams, oooh yeah
Despite setbacks, the artist is determined to keep pursuing their dreams and encourages listeners to do the same.
aye, it breaks my heart everytime i turn the news on
i see the police shot another young brother black (boy)
you know he had a mother, father, grandmother, brother, sister
but you see him as another (black boy)
The artist expresses heartbreak over the news of police violence against young black men and highlights the importance of recognizing victims as individuals rather than just statistics.
all we want, all we want (yeah), all we want, all we want (yeah), all we want, all we want (yeah)
all we want is (joy)
The repetition of the phrase 'all we want is joy' emphasizes the simplicity of the desire, and perhaps the desperation in seeking it.
uh, around the world man need
some peace on earth man
asking for a change
oh i'm praying for some (joy)
The artist highlights the need for peace and change in the world, and expresses a hope for joy amidst the chaos.
man they blowing up frats
and they killing kids in class
oh we need a little (joy)
The artist laments the violence that exists in the world and calls for the presence of joy to combat it.
this land is your land
this land is my land
can we just be grown men
you're actin' like a (boy)
The artist recognizes the divisions that exist in society, and calls for unity and maturity among all people.
gotta both stand
gotta, hold hands
man, you gotta vote man
that's your only voice
In order to effect change, the artist encourages collective action and the importance of voting.
Contributed by Zoe D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Javier Arellano
[Verse 1:]
(Uh)
So we want (JOY)
Music bizz bought me up
Trynna ruin all of my friendships
But I keep the (JOY)
(Uh) I was eighteen
Making beats in my studio
I did it for the (JOY)
(Uh) Now you might feel it take too long
But we gon' fight and keep on marching to our dream
(Yeah, yeah, Uh)
[Verse 2:]
It break my heart
Every time I turn the news
On and see the police
Shot another young brother black (BOY)
You know we had a mother father grandmother brother sister
But you see him as another (BLACK BOY) (Uh)
Now you might feel it take too long
But we gon' fight and keep on marching to our dream
(Yeah, yeah, Uh)
[Chorus:]
All we want, all we want yeah
All we want, all we want yeah
All we want, all we want yeah
All we want is some (JOY)
All we want, all we want
All we want, all we want
All we want, all we want yeah
All we want is (Uh!)
[Verse 3:]
Around the world man
Need some peace on earth man
Asking for a change
Oh I'm praying for some (JOY)
Man they blowing up France
And they killing kids in class
So we need a little (JOY)
Now you might feel it take too long
But we gon' fight and keep on marching to our dream
(Yeah, yeah, Uh)
[Verse 4:]
This land is your land
This land is my land
Let's just be grown men
You're acting like a (BOY)
Gotta, gotta both stand
MAN! You gotta vote man
That's your only (VOICE) (Uh!)
Now you might feel it take too long
But we gon' fight and keep on marching to our dream (Yeah)
(Uh, Oh~ yeah)
[Chorus:]
Cause all we want, yeah
All we want, all we want
All we want, all we want yeah
All we want, all we want is (JOY)
All we want, all we want yeah
All we want, all we want yeah
All we want, all we want yeah
(All we want, JOY)
[Speech:]
So even though, we face the difficulties, of today and tomorrow
I still have a dream!
Leila Feys
Love how he's just standing so casually with his tea all the song😂
artistknownas
Leila Feys ...Daniel Caesar did it better :)
JusKiddin, kinda.
HappyChay Living
His style, attitude, his self-confience and sense of duty are inspirational ! 💯
John Manett
COLORS is the best thing to happened to YouTube.
BTAKVE
idk man NPR is crazy too
k f
Agree
Valery
Truer words haven't been spoken
Jameel H
That's fasho
Kavitha
I aspire to reach his level of chill
Friendly Neighborhood Lawyer
Why is this channel so lit though!?!?!
constantly delivering fire