Born and raised on the Northeast side of Wichita, Kansas, XV (born Donavan Johnson) was not your average kid on the block. Suffering from an incredibly rare phobia known as Excelsiorophobia, he is deathly fearful of placing a hat firmly upon his cranium. He has fought this fear his entire life, as you can clearly see, placing baseball caps at various angles atop his head. Despite suffering from this career and personality defining phobia, he has persevered to establish a life that resembles some normalcy. Of course he played basketball, rode his bike and reenacted scenes from Power Rangers, like any other youthful spirit would. But his interests varied from those of his three brothers. With a born love for music like his father, who was a record label A&R and an employee at BET, XV began writing songs at the age of 9. Though he was raised by his Mom and Step-Father, the love of music was instilled in him, as well as various other talents such as, writing screenplays and designing websites.
"When I said I wanted to be something, I mean't it! My Grandmother would take me to the library on the weekends and get me every book I needed to learn how to make a movie. I was far from your average kid. When kids were at recess, I would be in class using the school camera to shoot fake news reports. I'm a big dreamer."
The desire to be bigger than his body was fulfilled when XV found Hip-Hop. Being able to express emotions, fantasies, and dilemma's using a clever sense of wordplay makes XV the extraordinary lyricist he is today. His ability to display the perils of the street life, the consciousness of a purist, and relate to suburban youth, stems from his socialness in school. Having friends who were gangbangers, preacher's kids, and rich white boys, allowed XV to break the boundaries many rappers place themselves in, and explore artistic ways to speak to all types of people. Acquiring the moniker, XV, from the roman numerals of "15", the age he was when he decided to begin taking his craft seriously and producing his own music. Inspired by mostly east coast MC's such as Jay-Z, Biggie, Mase, Mos Def, Cam'ron and Talib Kweli, XV recorded, produced, and released his first independent album in 2002. In 2003, his album, "The Answer", received rave reviews on various hip-hop websites.
Without any industry help or management, XV continued to work hard to create a buzz for himself and his record label, Royalty Recordz. Though he got his start performing live at his high school's talent shows, XV went on to opening up for The Ying Yang Twins, Mike Jones, Lil' Rob, Jon B., and defeated four local Hip-Hop acts with over 600 votes to open up for G-Unit. XV then went on to placing a song on Midway's NARC videogame, which led to XV creeping slowly out of the Kansas boundaries in search of a larger base of recognition. That recognition came after XV began making his mark on the mixtape scene with the "Royalty City" Mixtape series and "The Definition" mixtapes, featuring labelmates Bling and Sez Batters. Acknowledgement came from artists such as The Game, Paul Wall, Maino, Sheek Louch and DJ's such as Whoo Kid and On Point. The base has been built, now it's time to strengthen the foundation.
"The title 'COMPLEX' was created when I was trying to describe my album to Bling. It was like being told to describe a three-dimensional piece in two-dimensional form. The title also reflects a characteristic carried amongst most prodigies. I feel the most abstract and idealistic people in the world are complex, because there's so many different layers to them. Albert Einstein was complex, Picasso was complex, Tupac was complex. This album is basically my search for clarity."
With 13-tracks laced with thought-provoking, clever and sometimes cocky lyrical content, XV's search seems to come to a happy medium. His fresh and original topics vary from stereotyping to the differences in urban and suburban america. COMPLEX will be the first major-scale album from XV, and features production from himself, Seven and Benjamin Kash. The album's lead single, "Give You Everything", produced by Seven, is a charming, and sometimes humorous, narrative about a materialistic girlfriend that XV can't seem to break up with. The song that is sure to be a radio smash and bring clarity to the complexity of XV is, "Boy From Kansas". "It was the last song I wrote for Complex, so I feel like it's the most open song about me. My next album is going to be called, 'Clarity', and 'Boy From Kansas' was a step towards that. No matter where you're from, you can relate to that song."
It is a constant struggle for an artist to find himself, and many get lost in the search. It's also a battle for a brand new artist to come out and just be themself. XV is proof that it is a battle that you can win. With an album filled with honesty, positivity, humor, vulnerability and hardly any obscenities, finding clarity may not be an issue for XV any longer. "I'm a regular human-being. I get mad in traffic, I curse, I think about sex 98% of the day. But, in the end. When they read about me or find my time capsule 500 years from now. I want them to say that I was a positive dude. And that's who I am in my music."
Bang Bang Bang
XV Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gomu Gomu Gomu Bang (Monkey, Monkey, Luffy)
Gomu Gomu Gomu Bang (Monkey, Luffy, Monkey)
Gomu Gomu Gomu Bang (Chapeau de Paille ouais, Chapeau de Paille ouais)
Gomu Gomu Gomu Bang (j'la détaille ouais, j'la détaille ouais)
Gomu Gomu Gomu Bang (Chapeau de Paille ouais, Chapeau de Paille ouais)
Gomu Gomu Gomu Bang
J'ai peur de personne, mon téléphone sonne
Libérez Papson, mes pirates t'assomment
J'bicrave Cell, Freezer, Buu-Buu, herbe, MD, fe-chnou
Dans le binks, on est auch' ché-tou
De la G, j'm'en bats les couilles
Ça rafale touche du premier coup
Fuck la BAC et tout les hnouchs
J'veux planter ma came comme Tom Pouce
Faut qu'ça pousse et faire des ous-s
Tu tires une balle direct tu tousses
Fruit du démon, on est tous ouf
On va t'boxer comme mon gava Yusuf
Même en concert j'ai cé-pla mon gros 12
J'suis dans la Benz, bien sûr la bouteille est pleine sur le corner
On s'en fout des voisins qui se plaignent
Gomu Gomu Gomu bang, sur ton cas on se concerte
Chapeau de Paille là t'es die ouais
Ramène le détail ouais
C'est le hood, crapuleux sur l'bitume
Barbar, Thugga, Teudy c'est l'attitude
Le premier verre, pourquoi tu titubes
W wang wang je m'intitule
Blesse, ça blesse, blesse, ça blesse, blesse, blesse, blesse
Ta bitches fait crari, j'ai le fruité qui varie
T'es grave faut du wali, le bat' le safari
Y'a Sosa, y'a Paris, j'ai tout fait sur Paris
La balle sort du baril', sans l'aide de barbarie
Veulent tous nous comparer, la plupart sont tarés
Cause pas pire et pe-ra c'est nous même la pe-fra
L'atmosphère se réchauffe, j'suis sûrement dégivré
Code secret déchiffré, ADN
Gomu Gomu Gomu bang
1.7 Nord PSO Gang
Gomu Gomu Gomu bang
J'sors la poche pleine de la banque
Auch' ché-tou j'agite mon flingue
Cinq sur cinq je reçois tous les zincs'
Ta bitch à nous voir devient dingue, j'la mugu mugu dans le binks
Barbe Noire, fuck la Marine
Fuck Broussard d'mande à Jack Mesrine
As-tu senti la richesse de mes rimes?
Je suis en indé' t'es en intérim
C'est peper dans le froc suce ma barre si ce soir je dois finir au chtar
On veut plaire à la proc', à la juge, on enchaîne les tractions à la barre
Gomu Gomu Gomu Bang (Monkey, Luffy, Monkey)
Gomu Gomu Gomu Bang (Monkey, Monkey, Luffy)
Gomu Gomu Gomu Bang (Monkey, Luffy, Monkey)
Gomu Gomu Gomu Bang (Chapeau de Paille ouais, Chapeau de Paille ouais)
Gomu Gomu Gomu Bang (j'la détaille ouais, j'la détaille ouais)
Gomu Gomu Gomu Bang (Chapeau de Paille ouais, Chapeau de Paille ouais)
Gomu Gomu Gomu Bang
The lyrics of XV Barbar's song Gomu Bang revolve around boasting of their dominance and power in the streets, referencing the Monkey D. Luffy character from the One Piece anime/manga franchise. The repetitive chant of "Gomu Gomu Gomu Bang" is a reference to the superhuman strength of the character's rubber abilities. The lyrics also reference the illegal activities they are involved in, such as drug dealing and illegal weaponry. The mention of "Planter ma came comme Tom Pouce" (planting my drugs like Tom Thumb) is a nod to the French rap expression "Planter le décor" (planting the setting), which means to show off one's wealth and power.
Furthermore, the lyrics describe the life of XV Barbar members, who live dangerously and flaunt their power through their actions. They glorify their gangster lifestyle, criticizing the police and comparing themselves to famous gangsters like Jack Mesrine. These references reflect the group's desire for notoriety and respect in the rap scene, particularly in the French rap scene.
In a broader sense, the lyrics could also represent a critique of wider societal issues that drive young people to join gangs and live a life of crime. The pressure to succeed and achieve success, even if through illegal means, is a recurrent theme in hip hop culture worldwide.
Line by Line Meaning
Gomu Gomu Gomu Bang (Monkey, Luffy, Monkey)
Monkey, Luffy, Monkey join forces for the powerful attack Gomu Gomu Gomu Bang
Gomu Gomu Pistol, j'suis guccisé et lunettes Persol
Using my powerful attack, Gomu Gomu Pistol, I feel confident with my Gucci and Persol glasses
J'ai peur de personne, mon téléphone sonne
I fear no one, my phone keeps ringing with messages from admirers
Libérez Papson, mes pirates t'assomment
Set Papson free, or my crew will take necessary actions
J'bicrave Cell, Freezer, Buu-Buu, herbe, MD, fe-chnou
I handle business deals for Cell, Freezer, Buu-Buu, weed, MD, and fe-chnou
Dans le binks, on est auch' ché-tou
In the game, we're all winners and we hustle hard
De la G, j'm'en bats les couilles
I don't care about the police (BAC) and their guns (G)
Ça rafale touche du premier coup
Our automatic weapons hit the target every time with a single shot
Fuck la BAC et tout les hnouchs
I hate the police and all of their informants
J'veux planter ma came comme Tom Pouce
I want to sell drugs like Tom Pouce and make a lot of money
Faut qu'ça pousse et faire des ous-s
I need to grow my business and make more money
Tu tires une balle direct tu tousses
If you try to shoot at me, you'll regret it
Fruit du démon, on est tous ouf
We all have superpowers like the Fruit du démon, and we're all crazy
On va t'boxer comme mon gava Yusuf
We'll beat you up like my buddy Yusuf
Même en concert j'ai cé-pla mon gros 12
Even during concerts, I carry my big 12-gun and I'm ready for anything
J'suis dans la Benz, bien sûr la bouteille est pleine sur le corner
I'm riding in my Benz, of course, with a full bottle on the corner
On s'en fout des voisins qui se plaignent
We don't care about the neighbors complaining
Gomu Gomu Gomu bang, sur ton cas on se concerte
We're strategizing on how to take you down with Gomu Gomu Gomu Bang
Chapeau de Paille là t'es die ouais
With your straw hat, you're untouchable
Ramène le détail ouais
Bring the specifics, give us the details
C'est le hood, crapuleux sur l'bitume
This is the hood, where thugs rule on the concrete streets
Barbar, Thugga, Teudy c'est l'attitude
Barbar, Thugga, and Teudy have the baddest attitudes
Le premier verre, pourquoi tu titubes
Why can't you handle your liquor after just one drink?
W wang wang je m'intitule
W wang wang, that's my name
Blesse, ça blesse, blesse, ça blesse, blesse, blesse, blesse
It hurts, it really hurts
Ta bitches fait crari, j'ai le fruité qui varie
Your girl loves my flavor because my Fruit du démon varies
T'es grave faut du wali, le bat' le safari
You're seriously messed up and you need help, it's like a zoo safari fighting a bat
Y'a Sosa, y'a Paris, j'ai tout fait sur Paris
There's Sosa and Paris, I've done everything in Paris
La balle sort du baril', sans l'aide de barbarie
The bullet comes out of the barrel, without the help of Barbarie
Veulent tous nous comparer, la plupart sont tarés
Everyone wants to compare themselves to us, most of them are crazy
Cause pas pire et pe-ra c'est nous même la pe-fra
We're the ones who cause trouble, and we know how to handle it
L'atmosphère se réchauffe, j'suis sûrement dégivré
The atmosphere is heating up, I must be defrosting
Code secret déchiffré, ADN
I've cracked the secret code, it's in my DNA
1.7 Nord PSO Gang
We're from the 1.7 North and we're part of the PSO Gang
J'sors la poche pleine de la banque
I'm coming out with a pocket full of cash
Auch' ché-tou j'agite mon flingue
I'm waving my gun in celebration
Cinq sur cinq je reçois tous les zincs'
I hear you loud and clear, and I'm getting all the messages
Ta bitch à nous voir devient dingue, j'la mugu mugu dans le binks
Your girl goes crazy when she sees us, and we take advantage of that in the binks
Barbe Noire, fuck la Marine
Barbe Noire, fuck the Marine
Fuck Broussard d'mande à Jack Mesrine
Fuck Broussard, ask Jack Mesrine
As-tu senti la richesse de mes rimes?
Can you feel the richness of my rhymes?
Je suis en indé' t'es en intérim
I'm independent, you're just temporary
C'est peper dans le froc suce ma barre si ce soir je dois finir au chtar
I'm not afraid, if I have to go to jail tonight, I'll still enjoy myself
On veut plaire à la proc', à la juge, on enchaîne les tractions à la barre
We want to impress the prosecutor, the judge, and the jury, so we're working out at the bar
Gomu Gomu Gomu Bang (Monkey, Luffy, Monkey)
Monkey, Luffy, Monkey unite again for the devastating move, Gomu Gomu Gomu Bang
Gomu Gomu Gomu Bang (Monkey, Monkey, Luffy)
Monkey, Monkey, Luffy collaborate for another round of Gomu Gomu Gomu Bang
Gomu Gomu Gomu Bang (Monkey, Luffy, Monkey)
Dealing out Gomu Gomu Gomu Bang with the same strength and precision, Monkey, Luffy, Monkey do it again
Gomu Gomu Gomu Bang (Chapeau de Paille ouais, Chapeau de Paille ouais)
With my trusty straw hat, I'm ready for Gomu Gomu Gomu Bang
Gomu Gomu Gomu Bang (j'la détaille ouais, j'la détaille ouais)
I'll give you a step-by-step breakdown of how I execute Gomu Gomu Gomu Bang
Gomu Gomu Gomu Bang (Chapeau de Paille ouais, Chapeau de Paille ouais)
Repeating the powerful move one more time, Gomu Gomu Gomu Bang
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Seukry Gym
Donc comme ça t’écoute Gomu Bang en 2021 ? 👀
Luth Zoo
K7 Productions pdnt le confinement
Madara
Luth Zoo tu connais
Mărləy ŁsťKñg
Carrément
florent bergdoll
👌👌
Ornella G
K7 Productions bah ouais c’est le sang gomu bang
Force Tranquille
La prod fait toujours peter mon cerveau 8 piges après c’est incroyable
bukai
c’est un classique
Pegamax Le Baroudeur
Je me lasserai jamais de leur gestuelle et de leur flow
HALIFA Snakys
+Brisson Michael (Pegamax) yes