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."
Blinded
XV Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now I see those flashing lights
They sparkle in my eyes
So all I do is try (try)
To find my way inside cause I'm blinded by the lights
(Lights, lights, lights)
Cause I'm blinded by the lights
(Lights, lights, lights)
[Verse 1: XV]
Look
I'm waiting outside of the club looking dumb cause I'm stuck in this line
I swear to Christ, thank God for McDonalds
Cause the Dollar Menu saved my life a couple of times
I'm the One Eyed King in the Land Of The Blind
Trying to break through the door like a fan of the Shining
Didn't know how to act on the job scene
So I sold beats, just like a side thing
Everybody been sleeping on me so long you would think they would realize my dream
I be on the road like Sonic but as soon as I hit a block they wanna take my rings
I never saw beauty in the lights
But today I just might cause they look so blinding
I just hope I stay clear like a medic chest kit
So I brought my Visine
[Chorus: XV]
Now I see those flashing lights
They sparkle in my eyes
So all I do is try (try)
To find my way inside cause I'm blinded by the lights
(Lights, lights, lights)
Cause I'm blinded by the lights
(Lights, lights, lights)
[Verse 2: XV]
Went from Smallville to Metropolis
I was blinded by the lights so I never looked at college
They said, "Don't go into the light." (why?)
Cause when you do you go into the life
And you ain't ready, even 'Ye went crazy
When people don't even know me and they say they hate me
And ever since they talked about girls degraded
The video/girl rate has slightly downgraded
I show would do the girl with a very nice shape
And an alright face and they'll say he'll take it
Cause they can get steak no matter how it taste
Just the fact that you don't really wanna waste it
So I can't say that I don't wanna make it
Can't go back to selling weight out the Day Inn
Trying to get rid of all those memories like the Haitian
And now I know my destination
[Chorus: XV]
Now I see those flashing lights
They sparkle in my eyes
So all I do is try (try)
To find my way inside cause I'm blinded by the lights
(Lights, lights, lights)
Cause I'm blinded by the lights
(Lights, lights, lights)
[Verse 3: Harlem's Cash]
Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles
I'm blind to it all
Viagra, up for so long
Niagara, hope I don't fall
Looking back, they all said I was too small
Now look who's surprised I started to ball
Nah
Not like Chris Paul
More like I just pissed all Cristal
Shitted out the fruits of my labor
Flash the wrist shit, look like a light saber
Chewbacca, chinchilla for all the Lalas
Dark shades on
Darth Vader
Fought with white dudes with green paper
Who probably wouldn't want me as a neighbor
But if it suits me I'll get tailored
With a Style so Sheek make 'em think Jada
Wasn't easy, had to think BASA
Put myself to use and no not waste a
Talent I was given
Now I'm so driven, I chauffeured but I'm still back in [?]
[Chorus: XV]
Now I see those flashing lights
They sparkle in my eyes
So all I do is try (try)
To find my way inside cause I'm blinded by the lights
(Lights, lights, lights)
Cause I'm blinded by the lights
(Lights, lights, lights)
In XV's song "Blinded," the chorus speaks of the singer being overwhelmed by the flashing lights that sparkle in their eyes, leaving them blinded by visual dazzlement. The verse starts with the singer waiting outside a club and staring blankly into the long line, stuck beyond their control. They claim they are the one-eyed king in the land of the blind, trying to push their way through the entrance like a fan of The Shining. At the job scene, they were unaware of how to act and instead sold beats to make extra cash. The singer feels that everyone has been sleeping on them for so long that they never even noticed their dreams. They travel on the road like Sonic the Hedgehog, but as soon as they hit a block, someone would attempt to knock their rings off. Although the singer had never cared about the beauty of lights before, today they might because they appear utterly blinding. In the second verse, the singer has gone through a significant glow-up, from being in Smallville to Metropolis. Since they were blinded by city lights, they never got a chance to visit college. The singer believed that one should never go towards the light as they would be stepping into light-filled life, causing mental instability. Even Kanye West went crazy by crossing the same light. People who genuinely hated them still talked about the singer, degrading women on video. The singer claims they would date a girl with a very nice shape and an alright face, although they'd believe they would take anyone because they believe everyone needs steak regardless of whether it was a good quality or not. At the time, the singer cannot deny wanting to make their dreams a reality and could not turn back to possessing a day job since they needed to stitch those memories like a Haitian to move on. In the last verse, Harlem's Cash takes over and sings lyrics about how he is blind to it all, just like the great musical legends of Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles. He jokes about taking Viagra, hoping he won't fall into Niagara. In retrospect, he recalls how people believed he was too small to make it but how he was surprised as he started to ball. Harlem's Cash flash's his expensive wrist, resembling a light saber, while Chewbacca and chinchilla are his arm candy. Along with his dark shades of Darth Vader, he fought the white dudes with green paper, who would never want him as a neighbor. In the end, he will never waste his talent since he needs to put it to use if he wants to move forward in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Now I see those flashing lights
I have become aware of and am now seeing the bright lights flashing around me
They sparkle in my eyes
The lights appear shiny and lustrous and reflect off my eyes
So all I do is try (try)
I am putting in all my effort and attempting to overcome the obstacles in my way
To find my way inside cause I'm blinded by the lights
I am struggling to navigate through the bright lights and find my way to where I need to be
(Lights, lights, lights)
Repeating the word lights to emphasize the abundance and intensity of the illumination
Look
I'm waiting outside of the club looking dumb cause I'm stuck in this line
I am standing outside the club feeling foolish and helpless because I am stuck in the long line and cannot get in
I swear to Christ, thank God for McDonalds
Cause the Dollar Menu saved my life a couple of times
I express gratitude to God that McDonald's cheap menu helped me out of tough situations in the past
I'm the One Eyed King in the Land Of The Blind
Trying to break through the door like a fan of the Shining
I consider myself the best in a realm of mediocrity and am struggling like a crazed fan in a horror movie to get in
Didn't know how to act on the job scene
So I sold beats, just like a side thing
I was unsure how to pursue a career and ended up selling beats as a secondary occupation
Everybody been sleeping on me so long you would think they would realize my dream
Despite being underrated and ignored for a long time, I hope they acknowledge and appreciate my talents and aspirations
I be on the road like Sonic but as soon as I hit a block they wanna take my rings
Like Sonic, I am constantly on the move, but once I face a hurdle or setback, people try to take away my accomplishments
I never saw beauty in the lights
But today I just might cause they look so blinding
I just hope I stay clear like a medic chest kit
So I brought my Visine
I typically do not appreciate the bright lights, but now I find them attractive, although I hope to remain unclouded like a medical emergency kit by using eye drops
Went from Smallville to Metropolis
I was blinded by the lights so I never looked at college
I progressed from a small town to a big city, but was so focused on the lights and fame that I did not consider pursuing higher education
They said, "Don't go into the light." (why?)
Cause when you do you go into the life
And you ain't ready, even 'Ye went crazy
People cautioned me against pursuing a life of fame because of the potential negative consequences, exemplified by Kanye West losing his sanity
When people don't even know me and they say they hate me
And ever since they talked about girls degraded
The video/girl rate has slightly downgraded
Individuals hate me without understanding me and since women were objectified in the media, the quality of videos and women on-screen has decreased
I show would do the girl with a very nice shape
And an alright face and they'll say he'll take it
Cause they can get steak no matter how it taste
Just the fact that you don't really wanna waste it
If a woman has a great physique and a decent face, people assume I would pursue her because they are readily available, even though I may not truly desire her
So I can't say that I don't wanna make it
Can't go back to selling weight out the Day Inn
Trying to get rid of all those memories like the Haitian
And now I know my destination
I cannot deny that I desire fame and do not want to return to a past life selling drugs, but I must work to distance myself from those memories and strive for my goals
Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles
I'm blind to it all
Viagra, up for so long
Niagara, hope I don't fall
Like Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles, I cannot see the distractions and temptations around me and, like someone on Viagra or from Niagara, I fear losing control or falling
Looking back, they all said I was too small
Now look who's surprised I started to ball
People doubted my abilities and stature in the past, but are now astonished to see me thriving and succeeding
Not like Chris Paul
More like I just pissed all Cristal
Unlike basketball player Chris Paul, whose performance is consistent, I am more like someone who recklessly wastes expensive alcohol like Cristal
Chewed out the fruits of my labor
Flash the wrist shit, look like a light saber
Chewbacca, chinchilla for all the Lalas
Dark shades on
Darth Vader
I earned and enjoyed the rewards of my hard work, displaying flashy jewelry resembling a weapon from Star Wars, while dressed in a fur coat and shades and compared to a character from the same universe
Fought with white dudes with green paper
Who probably wouldn't want me as a neighbor
But if it suits me I'll get tailored
With a Style so Sheek make 'em think Jada
I competed with powerful white individuals who probably do not value me as a neighbor, but I will adapt and present myself eloquently in a way that surprises them and resembles that of rapper Jadakiss
Wasn't easy, had to think BASA
Put myself to use and no not waste a
Talent I was given
Now I'm so driven, I chauffeured but I'm still back in [?]
It took effort and thought to use my skills wisely and not squander them, but now I am motivated and driven, although I am still struggling to reach my full potential and destination
Now I see those flashing lights
They sparkle in my eyes
So all I do is try (try)
To find my way inside cause I'm blinded by the lights
(Lights, lights, lights)
Cause I'm blinded by the lights
(Lights, lights, lights)
Repeating the chorus to drive home the point that the bright lights are overwhelming and I am struggling to overcome them and find my way to success and fulfillment
Contributed by Michael P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@686tre686
this mixtape is business mode.
@GangsterBurns
hell yeah i got this mixtape on the ipod. shit go hard and his new shit before the complex
@gbayounginofficial197
10 years later
@lilmyselfbitch
this shits hardcore man.. xv's the shit
@BrownBear725
This song is closest to his upbeat club-like final fantasy XV song. If you were interested in listening to other songs Vizzys made that are dope, I recomemend the following: Final Fantasy (prod Green Lantern), Final Fantasy XV (prod by charlie hilton), Handlebars remix w/Flowbots, Mama's Smile, Controller, Everybody's Nobody, What's Wrong with Hip Hop, Stutter,vizzy zone, and Words I Never Said.
@punktouch
fucking dope
@LilKikiz2012
song is good for soccer ( xv blinded harlems cash )
@BLee2Cold
Ayy Check Out the freestyle I did for this song. (If You Got Time)