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."
Boy From Kansas
XV Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, this is me man
This is just me
I'm just a boy from Kansas
Been alll around the world
Seen different things, you know
But this is me
I don't drink or smoke, I do my thing
I just do my songs, make my beats
I just roll with my dogs, keep my peace
But if y'all want beef I keep my peice
I don't club too much I stay at home
I like to cruise a lot, don't answer the phone
I got my girl wifed up don't need no more
I might not live too long I see the globe
I'm humble and cool ask my dudes
Like Sez and Bling, Ace and Dubes
Or Stringer and Block, 7 and Bounce
Or haters that know me around the town
I'm king of the city I made that crown
So if you want one we can battle it out
I have a lot to say so I stay with the pen
You can break it down in the end
[Chorus:]
I'm just a boy from Kansas
No matter where you go don't forget where you come from
I'm just a boy from Kansas
When the heart is in your home you know that's where you from
I'm just a boy from Kansas
You went all around the globe but you know that's where you from
I'm just a boy from Kansas
You're still that boy from Kansas just tell 'em where you're from
[Verse 2:]
I like oldies and rap, Benzes and 'Lacs
I got homies who work, homies who trap
I done did both won't never go back
I love spitting giving you my picture through tracks
I'm a city boy from the ICT
Don't confuse it with the country homie come and see
We the middle of the map figure cause I rap like
East coast west coast bring it all back
I like Air Force 1s, bapes is cool
I like Chuck Taylors or some skater shoes
You like this dude seem hella confused
Nah homie that's just how I do
You never knew
I'm complex
I went to black and white schools
Took a little from the bad, took a little from the good
Took white people had brought it back to the hood
I'm sorry if I'm misunderstood
[Chorus:]
I'm just a boy from Kansas
No matter where you go don't forget where you come from
I'm just a boy from Kansas
When the heart is in your home you know that's where you from
I'm just a boy from Kansas
You went all around the globe but you know that's where you from
I'm just a boy from Kansas
You're still that boy from Kansas just tell 'em where you're from
[Verse 3:]
You can catch me on the block with my crew
If I'm not posted I'll be driving on through
Chucking the deuces up with Crips and Bloods
Folks, whoever homie I show everyone love
Holla if you see me on your block if you see me on the grind
Just throw the boy a sign holla at me man
If I'm rolling through your city and you see the boy busy
As long as I look fly take a flick mayne
I don't do much fam
I don't skate but I dress like a skater that's just who I am
I still rep for my D-Boys moving grams
And all white like the Klu Klux Klan
We rock whatever's hot it come through the middle
I'm a make the game take a break for the middle
If I was to die how would you describe me
This here is X to the V
I'm just a boy from Kansas
[Chorus:]
No matter where you go don't forget where you come from
I'm just a boy from Kansas
When the heart is in your home you know that's where you from
I'm just a boy from Kansas
You went all around the globe but you know that's where you from
I'm just a boy from Kansas
You're still that boy from Kansas just tell 'em where you're from
The song "Boy From Kansas" by XV, as the title suggests, is a biographical track about the rapper's roots from Kansas. Throughout the song, he talks about how despite traveling across the globe and experiencing different things, he never forgets where he comes from. The first verse is where he talks about his lifestyle and how he's a peaceful person, but if anyone wants to start something, he's ready with his courage to back himself up. He also mentions how he prefers staying in and working on his craft rather than going out clubbing. Then he talks about his friends and how they know him better than anyone else. He crowned himself the king of the city, which is why he's not afraid of beef. The chorus emphasizes that no matter where you go, never forget where you come from. In the second verse, he talks about his interests, which include both oldies and rap music. He's also into sneakers, and his dress style is similar to skaters, though he doesn't skate. He's had experiences of attending schools with black and white people, and he took some of the bad with the good. He acknowledges that he may be misunderstood, but he's just being himself. The final verse focuses on his local experiences. He takes pride in having friends from different groups and shows them all love. He's not much of a skateboarder, but he dresses like one, and his D-boy days are long since behind him. He even makes a reference to the Ku Klux Klan as an elaborate joke with the wordplay. He ends the track by asking listeners how they would describe him if he were to die.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, this is me man
XV is introducing himself and acknowledging that he is being true to himself
This is just me
XV reiterates that he is being authentic with himself and his music
I'm just a boy from Kansas
XV emphasizes that he is just a regular person from Kansas and wants to remain true to his roots
Been alll around the world
XV has traveled to different places and experienced various cultures and lifestyles
Seen different things, you know
XV has observed and learned from his travels and experiences
But this is me
Regardless of where he goes or what he experiences, XV remains true to his personality and identity
I don't drink or smoke, I do my thing
XV prefers to focus on his music and individuality instead of indulging in vices like drinking or smoking
I just do my songs, make my beats
XV is dedicated to producing his own music and enjoys the creative process
I just roll with my dogs, keep my peace
XV spends time with his close friends and maintains a drama-free lifestyle
But if y'all want beef I keep my peice
XV is willing to defend himself if necessary but would prefer to avoid conflict
I don't club too much I stay at home
XV is not interested in clubbing and would rather spend time at home
I like to cruise a lot, don't answer the phone
XV enjoys driving around but doesn't want to be distracted by phone calls or messages
I got my girl wifed up don't need no more
XV is in a committed relationship and has no interest in pursuing other romantic partners
I might not live too long I see the globe
XV is aware of his mortality and wants to experience as much of the world as possible before he dies
I'm humble and cool ask my dudes
XV's friends can confirm that he is a down-to-earth and likable person
Like Sez and Bling, Ace and Dubes
XV lists some of his close friends and collaborators
Or Stringer and Block, 7 and Bounce
XV lists more of his friends and associates
Or haters that know me around the town
Even people who dislike him or are jealous of his success are familiar with XV
I'm king of the city I made that crown
XV asserts himself as the most successful and influential rapper in his city
So if you want one we can battle it out
XV is willing to engage in a rap battle if someone challenges him
I have a lot to say so I stay with the pen
XV has a lot of thoughts and feelings that he expresses through his music and lyrics
You can break it down in the end
XV's music can be analyzed and interpreted in different ways
No matter where you go don't forget where you come from
It's important to remember your roots and upbringing, no matter where life takes you
When the heart is in your home you know that's where you from
Home is where you feel connected and comfortable, regardless of where you were born or raised
You went all around the globe but you know that's where you from
XV has traveled to different places but still feels a strong connection to his hometown in Kansas
You're still that boy from Kansas just tell 'em where you're from
No matter how much success he achieves or how far he travels, XV will always be proud of his Kansas roots
I like oldies and rap, Benzes and 'Lacs
XV enjoys listening to different types of music and likes luxury cars
I got homies who work, homies who trap
XV has friends who have legitimate jobs as well as friends who participate in illegal activities
I done did both won't never go back
XV has experienced both legal and illegal ways of making money but has no desire to return to the latter
I love spitting giving you my picture through tracks
XV enjoys expressing himself through his music
I'm a city boy from the ICT
XV is from Wichita, Kansas, which is located in the area code 316 (abbreviated as ICT)
Don't confuse it with the country homie come and see
XV is from a city in Kansas and doesn't want to be associated with rural areas or stereotypes
We the middle of the map figure cause I rap like East coast west coast bring it all back
Wichita, Kansas is located in the middle of the United States and XV draws inspiration from both East and West Coast hip-hop
I like Air Force 1s, bapes is cool
XV likes wearing certain types of shoes like Nike Air Force Ones and A Bathing Ape sneakers
I like Chuck Taylors or some skater shoes
XV also likes wearing Converse Chuck Taylor All-Stars and shoes commonly worn by skaters
You like this dude seem hella confused
People may be confused by XV's mix of interests and style
Nah homie that's just how I do
XV is comfortable with his eclectic tastes and doesn't feel the need to conform to any one style
You never knew
XV is introducing himself to listeners and may have surprised them with his unique style
I'm complex
XV acknowledges that he is a complicated and multifaceted person
I went to black and white schools
XV attended schools with both black and white students, which influenced his worldview and perspective
Took a little from the bad, took a little from the good
XV has learned from both negative and positive experiences and incorporates those lessons into his music
Took white people had brought it back to the hood
XV has learned from white people and their culture and has found ways to apply those lessons in his own community
I'm sorry if I'm misunderstood
XV understands that some people may not fully grasp his style or personality
You can catch me on the block with my crew
XV hangs out with his friends on the street
If I'm not posted I'll be driving on through
If he isn't standing around, XV may be driving around in his car
Chucking the deuces up with Crips and Bloods, Folks, whoever homie I show everyone love
XV doesn't discriminate based on gang affiliation and gets along with everyone
Holla if you see me on your block if you see me on the grind
If someone sees XV in their neighborhood or working hard, they should say hello
Just throw the boy a sign holla at me man
XV invites people to greet him or talk to him if they see him around
If I'm rolling through your city and you see the boy busy
If XV is visiting another city and is preoccupied with his own business
As long as I look fly take a flick mayne
Fans can take a photo with XV as long as he looks good in the picture
I don't do much fam
XV doesn't do a lot outside of his music and spending time with friends
I don't skate but I dress like a skater that's just who I am
XV is inspired by skater fashion and incorporates it into his personal style
I still rep for my D-Boys moving grams
XV still supports his friends who are involved in selling drugs
And all white like the Klu Klux Klan
This line is likely a double entendre, as XV is referring to both his all-white outfit and the white supremacist group
We rock whatever's hot it come through the middle
XV is open to new trends and styles, and is willing to try anything that he thinks looks good
I'm a make the game take a break for the middle
XV wants to bring attention to his hometown and prove that talent can come from anywhere
If I was to die how would you describe me, This here is X to the V
XV wonders how people would remember him if he were to die and identifies himself using his stage name
Contributed by Jackson E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.