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."
Cruise
XV Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Windows down
Just cruise
Open the paper take a look at the news
The industry's shaken up
Jay & Dame breaking up
Shyne locked up and Jam Master Jay shot up
I thank the Lord when I wake cause I got up
When everything's bad, good news sounds sad
And I still gotta deal with the problems that I had
Best friends beefing with me, girl friend ain't speaking to me
Rap got these fake cats trying to put their heaters to me
Trying to find my way out, they trap me in
Cats try to flex even when I'm at the gym
Sometimes it seems like the only thing to do
When I can't express all my feeling in the booth
I turn on a CD, Aaliyah's Care For You
Jay Dee's Volume 2 or Lil' Jon's Crunk Juice
Speakerboxxx/The Love Below or TP2
Get Rich Or Die Tryin' sounds good in the Coupe
Portishead, Fiona Apple, man whatever fits you
And before you know it man, the world's on mute
[Hook]:
Sometimes I just wanna cruise
From the things that I go through
I just wanna cruise
Turn off the two way on your phone dude
I just wanna cruise
Get away from the Pro Tools
I just wanna cruise
Cause this life is just so cruel
Sometimes I just wanna cruise
From the things that I go through
I just wanna cruise
Turn off the two way on your phone dude
I just wanna cruise
Get away from the Pro Tools
I just wanna cruise
Cause this life is just so cruel
[Verse Two]:
Windows down
Just cruise
Open the paper take a look at the news
The Dirty South waking up
Fif and Game breaking up
Mac Dre murdered and the industry's shaken up
Hip Hop Police drive around and pursue
And the niggas with they chains that they see on the tube
That they see on the wall
Of their children's room
It just has them appalled
That we do what we do
They would love to see a nigga back in whips and chains
Rather than a black man buying whips and chains
Fly to Dallas for a week, in front row watch Game
They claim they want us off the streets, still they complain
Sometimes it seems like the only thing to do
When I can't express all my feelings in the booth
I turn on a CD
Blueprint 2
Or Blueprint 1
Whatever fits you
It's Dark And Hell Is Hot or Coldplay's Parachutes
Juelz Santana's From Me To You
Or Things Fall Apart, my favorite joint from The Roots
Music helps me get away from the troops
[Hook]:
Sometimes I just wanna cruise
From the things that I go through
I just wanna cruise
Turn off the two way on your phone dude
I just wanna cruise
Get away from the Pro Tools
I just wanna cruise
Cause this life is just so cruel
Sometimes I just wanna cruise
From the things that I go through
I just wanna cruise
Turn off the two way on your phone dude
I just wanna cruise
Get away from the Pro Tools
I just wanna cruise
Cause this life is just so cruel
[Verse Three]:
O.D.B. passing
J-Dilla just left us
Proof got shot in the head, it's all messed up
My home girl burned up, it scares me to think
When we die nobody knows where we gon' turn up
I think about life for the living, driven
Determined to make it for my children
If and, when I do, I'll be drifting
In this dirt we call Earth got me tripping
And I don't even smoke but I think like a cheefa
Instead view the world through the eyes of the cheeba
Think of
Otis Reeding singing through Emmett Till's pain
Or Jimi Hendrix guitar played by Kurt Cobain
It's like music is my melody, fix to cocaine
Once you feel the kick kick, straight to your brain
Sometimes the world can drive a brother insane
So when I wanna get away from the game
I just wanna cruise
[Hook]:
Sometimes I just wanna cruise
From the things that I go through
I just wanna cruise
Turn off the two way on your phone dude
I just wanna cruise
Get away from the Pro Tools
I just wanna cruise
Cause this life is just so cruel
Sometimes I just wanna cruise
From the things that I go through
I just wanna cruise
Turn off the two way on your phone dude
I just wanna cruise
Get away from the Pro Tools
I just wanna cruise
Cause this life is just so cruel
The song “Cruise” by XV is a reflection on the struggles and hardships that the artist faces in his life and in the music industry. The lyrics suggest that sometimes, the only escape from these challenges is to simply “cruise” - to take a drive, listen to music, and get away from the stresses of daily life. XV describes feeling trapped by various situations in his life, such as his best friends beefing with him and his girlfriend not speaking to him. He also touches on some of the tragedies that have occurred in the hip hop industry, such as the murder of Mac Dre and the shootings of Shyne and Jam Master Jay. The song serves to show that life is not always easy, but sometimes taking a moment to escape can provide solace in difficult times.
The artist’s words are backed by a mellow beat and chilled-out guitar, creating a melancholy yet soothing mood in the song. XV’s use of music as a way to escape is a motif that runs throughout the song, as he lists off various albums that he turns to in order to forget about his problems. Ultimately, “Cruise” is a reminder that it is okay to take a break from the chaos of life and just enjoy the simple pleasure of cruising with good music.
Line by Line Meaning
Windows down
Opening the windows of the car
Just cruise
Relaxing and going for a drive
Open the paper take a look at the news
Reading the newspaper to stay informed on current events
The industry's shaken up
The music industry is going through a lot of change and turmoil
Jay & Dame breaking up
Jay-Z and Damon Dash, former business partners, broke up their partnership
Shyne locked up and Jam Master Jay shot up
Two prominent names in hip hop, Shyne and Jam Master Jay, were respectively imprisoned and killed
I thank the Lord when I wake cause I got up
Being grateful for another day of life
Though I'm suiting up for a wake for my partner
Attending a funeral for a friend or loved one
When everything's bad, good news sounds sad
Positivity is hard to appreciate when there is so much negativity around
And I still gotta deal with the problems that I had
Continuing to face personal issues despite external difficulties
Best friends beefing with me, girl friend ain't speaking to me
Having conflicts with close friends and significant others
Rap got these fake cats trying to put their heaters to me
People in the rap industry who are trying to physically harm the artist
Trying to find my way out, they trap me in
Feeling stuck and unable to escape negative situations
Cats try to flex even when I'm at the gym
People trying to show off or assert dominance even in a non-competitive environment
Sometimes it seems like the only thing to do
Feeling like there are no other options
When I can't express all my feeling in the booth
Having difficulty conveying personal emotions through music
I turn on a CD, Aaliyah's Care For You
Listening to music by Aaliyah to alleviate stress
Jay Dee's Volume 2 or Lil' Jon's Crunk Juice
Listening to music by Jay Dee or Lil' Jon to alleviate stress
Speakerboxxx/The Love Below or TP2
Listening to music by Outkast or R. Kelly to alleviate stress
Get Rich Or Die Tryin' sounds good in the Coupe
Listening to music by 50 Cent to alleviate stress
Portishead, Fiona Apple, man whatever fits you
Listening to music by Portishead or Fiona Apple to alleviate stress
And before you know it man, the world's on mute
Feeling like the world has disappeared while immersed in music
Turn off the two way on your phone dude
Disconnecting from communication technology
Get away from the Pro Tools
Taking a break from music production software
Cause this life is just so cruel
Escaping from the harsh realities of life
The Dirty South waking up
The hip hop subgenre from the Southern United States gaining popularity
Fif and Game breaking up
50 Cent and The Game, two prominent rappers, ended their feud
Mac Dre murdered and the industry's shaken up
A rapper named Mac Dre was killed, causing turmoil in the industry
Hip Hop Police drive around and pursue
Police targeting people involved in hip hop culture
And the niggas with they chains that they see on the tube
People who wear flashy jewelry shown on TV
That they see on the wall of their children's room
Children admiring and emulating the style of their favorite rappers
It just has them appalled
Finding the use of materialism in rap music to be concerning
That we do what we do
Criticism of the negative aspects of hip hop culture
They would love to see a nigga back in whips and chains
Racism and desire to see black people enslaved again
Rather than a black man buying whips and chains
Black people using their success to buy expensive cars and jewelry
Fly to Dallas for a week, in front row watch Game
Traveling to Dallas to see The Game perform live
They claim they want us off the streets, still they complain
Society wanting to control black people's behavior, yet finding fault with them no matter what they do
O.D.B. passing
Old Dirty Bastard, a member of the Wu-Tang Clan, passing away
J-Dilla just left us
J Dilla, a respected producer and rapper, passing away
Proof got shot in the head, it's all messed up
Proof, a well-known rapper and friend of Eminem, being killed
My home girl burned up, it scares me to think
A female acquaintance dying in a fire, causing fear about mortality
When we die nobody knows where we gon' turn up
Mystery surrounding where a person goes after they die
I think about life for the living, driven
Reflecting on the importance of living in the moment
Determined to make it for my children
Motivated to succeed for the sake of one's kids
If and, when I do, I'll be drifting
Planning to relax and enjoy life if one achieves success
In this dirt we call Earth got me tripping
The harsh realities of life causing stress and disorientation
And I don't even smoke but I think like a cheefa
Feeling so stressed that one feels high without drugs
Instead view the world through the eyes of the cheeba
Seeing the world in a more relaxed, mellow way
Think of
Consider
Otis Reeding singing through Emmett Till's pain
Otis Redding performing a song about Emmett Till, a black teenager who was lynched in 1955
Or Jimi Hendrix guitar played by Kurt Cobain
Kurt Cobain, a grunge musician, playing songs created by Jimi Hendrix on the guitar
It's like music is my melody, fix to cocaine
Music is like a drug, providing comfort and escape
Once you feel the kick kick, straight to your brain
Feeling the rush of energy that comes from listening to music
Sometimes the world can drive a brother insane
The difficulties of life can be overwhelming
Contributed by Ryan F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.