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."
Fall Out The Sky
XV Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know I'm the shit, tell 'em they gonna say it
I know I can spit, tell 'em they gonna spray it
I be sitting, writing piff and the metaphor's thick
I'm like that line is hella dope baby
And two minutes after that, I'm looking back at the rap
Telling Pat that I won't play it even when I know I wanna take it
I'm Neo trying to jump in the matrix, won't make it
When I'm playing my shit, everybody silent
I don't even wanna nod, the yes man's love it but fuck it, that's they job
And then I'm walking out the mall and I'm almost at the door
And that's when I hear Hoff, I knew that was you, please sign my arm
Square in the Circle's all I bump in my car, that's when it gets hard
To not feel like a star when they know who you are, I stay modest
And honestly, I'm appalled that I've gotten this far on the shit that I'm on
[Hook:]
I know sometimes I feel so high and then I fall right out the sky
And then I fall right out the sky, I know sometimes I feel so high
And then I fall right out the sky and then I fall right out the sky
[Verse 2: XV]
She say I'm cute, she say I'm cool
To all of her friends, I make my move
I'm feeling like I'm that dude, don't gotta spit game
I'm already that smooth, I leave my pessimism in the stands
As soon as I shoot, my conscious yell boo
As soon as I walk up to talk all of my stuff, I honestly can't move
That's my insecurity like a mall cop
But I'm trying to leave with something like a car lot
Pick one, pick two but they all hot and I'm trying to get you up to my spot
She know my name, she trying to play it off
I seen that ring, she trying to take it off
And I wanna approach but my thoughts ain't helping me flow
[Hook 2:]
I know sometimes I feel so high and then I fall right out the sky
And then I fall right out the sky, I know sometimes I feel so high
And then I fall right out the sky and then I fall right out the sky
I know sometimes I feel so high and then I fall right out the sky
And then I fall right out the sky
[Verse 3: XV]
I know they telling me how I'm mad dope
Star Wars XV, I'm the last hope but I hear them keys
And I just say please, don't end on a bad note
And that's probably why I tip-toe, champagne, say toast
And then I sip slow, trying to get they attention and then I get no's
And then I get known just to make them stop and go
This is all I got, no trust fund so don't shoot me as I fly, duck hunt
Everything I expect, I accept and every dude that I pay, I collect
And everything that I say I'm a get, I'm a get
Take a trip, pick a floss on my ex, yeah for a minute, I was high
Then I saw her new guy and I fell out my jet
[Hook 2:]
I know sometimes I feel so high and then I fall right out the sky
And then I fall right out the sky, I know sometimes I feel so high
And then I fall right out the sky and then I fall right out the sky
I know sometimes I feel so high and then I fall right out the sky
And then I fall right out the sky
In "Fall Out the Sky," XV reflects on his journey as a rising rapper, discussing the highs and lows that come with fame. In the first verse, XV discusses how he knows his worth as a skilled rapper, but must control his impulses to release everything he writes. He describes himself as "Neo" from the Matrix, trying to navigate the game without being consumed by it. Despite being tempted by his talent, he aims to stay modest and true to himself rather than letting his success inflate his ego.
In the second verse, XV shifts to discussing his interactions with women at parties. He describes himself as confident and smooth, but recognizes that his insecurities hold him back from making a move. He is focused on the pursuit of potential partners, but ultimately lacks the courage to do so. Throughout this verse and the song as a whole, he expresses the contrast between feeling "so high" when things are going well for him with the feeling of suddenly falling "out the sky" when things aren't going as planned.
The chorus repeats this contrast, emphasizing XV's repeated struggle to navigate his career and relationships with confidence, never knowing when he might suddenly "fall out the sky." Overall, "Fall Out the Sky" is a reflection on the pressures and challenges of being a successful rapper, and the constant need to balance confidence with humility.
Line by Line Meaning
I know I'm the shit, tell 'em they gonna say it
I am confident in my abilities and others will recognize it
I know I can spit, tell 'em they gonna spray it
I know I can rap well and others will spread the word
I be sitting, writing piff and the metaphor's thick
I am focused on writing clever and impactful lyrics
I'm like that line is hella dope baby
I am impressed with my own clever wordplay
And two minutes after that, I'm looking back at the rap
I am reflective and always striving to improve my craft
Telling Pat that I won't play it even when I know I wanna take it
I am selective about which songs I release, despite wanting to share more
I'm Neo trying to jump in the matrix, won't make it
I feel like I am facing challenges and obstacles that are difficult to overcome
Wish you could see it through my eyelids
I wish others could understand and see things from my perspective
When I'm playing my shit, everybody silent
My music commands attention and respect from those who hear it
And then I'm walking out the mall and I'm almost at the door
I am going about my day-to-day life despite my rising fame
And that's when I hear Hoff, I knew that was you, please sign my arm
Fans recognize me and ask for autographs
Square in the Circle's all I bump in my car, that's when it gets hard
I struggle to balance my artistic integrity with commercial success
To not feel like a star when they know who you are, I stay modest
I try to stay humble despite my growing fame
And honestly, I'm appalled that I've gotten this far on the shit that I'm on
I am surprised and grateful for my success despite not compromising my artistic vision
She say I'm cute, she say I'm cool
Women find me attractive and interesting
To all of her friends, I make my move
I am confident and pursue romantic interests
I'm feeling like I'm that dude, don't gotta spit game
I am self-assured and don't feel the need to use pickup lines
I'm already that smooth, I leave my pessimism in the stands
I have a natural charm and try to stay positive
As soon as I shoot, my conscious yell boo
I sometimes doubt myself and my actions
As soon as I walk up to talk all of my stuff, I honestly can't move
I sometimes freeze up when trying to impress others
That's my insecurity like a mall cop
My insecurity can hinder my confidence and success
But I'm trying to leave with something like a car lot
I am determined to pursue romantic or sexual relationships
She know my name, she trying to play it off
Women recognize me but try to act nonchalant
And I wanna approach but my thoughts ain't helping me flow
I struggle to find the right words and actions to impress women
I know they telling me how I'm mad dope
My fans and peers recognize my talent
Star Wars XV, I'm the last hope but I hear them keys
I feel pressure to succeed and live up to expectations
And I just say please, don't end on a bad note
I hope to continue to succeed and leave a positive legacy
And then I sip slow, trying to get they attention and then I get no's
I try to impress others but sometimes fail to gain their attention or approval
This is all I got, no trust fund so don't shoot me as I fly, duck hunt
I am self-made and don't come from a wealthy background
Everything I expect, I accept and every dude that I pay, I collect
I try to stay positive and grateful for what I have, and I expect quality work from those I pay
And everything that I say I'm a get, I'm a get
I am determined to achieve my goals
Take a trip, pick a floss on my ex, yeah for a minute, I was high
I reminisce about past relationships and experiences
Then I saw her new guy and I fell out my jet
I was hurt to see my ex move on and found it hard to cope with
I know sometimes I feel so high and then I fall right out the sky
I experience high highs and low lows in my personal and professional life
Contributed by Annabelle S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@originalProdigy838
This dude made those teenage years filled with anxiety so much easier to deal with. Happy he is back but disappointled he never blew up....
@AndrewLeeW1
Agreed. This song still speaks to me. Such an unknown classic.
@JackBradleyyy
XV meant so fuckin much to me growing up, crazy to think it's been nearly 10 years since I downloaded all the mixtapes off datpiff only for them to become the soundtrack to my early teen years. my music tastes have changed a ton since then and i really don't listen to a lot of rap anymore but everybody's nobody, all the definition tapes, square in the circle, will always mean so much to me. i spent a long time hoping he'd blow up but honestly i'm just thankful for the music we got and can't ever forget how much it meant to me when i was young.
@chefnil
Same
@artkid9279
Such a beautiful song. XV thank you for blessing me with this type of music threw out my teenage and early adult years , on some real shit
@NaiJorJul
XV been listing to you for almost 2 years. Keep it up!
@cperkins2321
Vizzy the ish! One of , if NOT the hardest working , under-appreciated MC in the game. Makes hot songs, real music, dope lyrics. Shout out to XV & Seven
@lunadabaybrandon
This is probably the most UNDERRATED song in the history of the world
@Sickdust
Just wanted to say this song is inspiring, definately one of my favorite to date. Shouts our to XV, dream big, live love peace
@kenney2cool
TO THE 19 PEOPLE WHO DISLIKED THIS, A HIT HAS BEEN PUT OUT ON YOU.............XV IS HIP HOP, AND HES COMIN UP FAST, GET ALL OF HIS MIXTAPES, CLASSIC