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."
Swervin
XV Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Damn her body's bad and it's curving, curving Trying to take her home but I′m swervin′, swervin' (Drink got me swervin)
Rubber burning, burning I been drinking all night now I′m swverin', swervin′
Damn her body bad and it's curving, curving Trying to take her home but I′m swervin', swervin' (Drink got me swervin)
What a life of ours, nights are scarred but where′s the pain go?
Prolly in the same glass that this fucking drink go
Now I′m on the road, trying to find out where the lanes go
I dont even know, I-I-I-I dont even know
Pop in my favorite CD and let that whole shit play through
Now I'm thinking this the type of shit that I should drink to
Pour me up some mo, P-P-Pour me up some mo
How did I get here I swear this shit dont even seem right
Swervin lanes and hit the left I can′t even see right
Tell me wheres the street lights, wait is that a green light?
I dont even know, I-I-I- dont even know
The night was filled with life, but my glass was always empty
Bunch of ladies on me, all my niggas with me
Making more toast than a 3am at a Denny's
Pour me up some mo, P-P-Pour me up some mo
Bottles lifted we drinking so much it′s like the bottoms endless
Rubberbands with dollars in it, fat wallets with condoms in it
Nothing but money and time and fine women who wanna spend it
I just hope you ready if you coming with us
Cause I'm...
Im just cruising down an open road on a night in Houston
Shorty riding titties popping out like-like the eye of Houston
Got me swerving lanes, al-alcohol is not influenced
Maybe so but the 5-0 still gotta prove it
Til then I turn up that music-music do not touch my tuner
Sometimes pop it up but I′m
Soaring like some fucking bruises
Black Eyed Peas, no Fergie
And Im rolling deep as Xerxes
Don't get worried when you observing me swervin
The lyrics of XV's song "Swervin" portray a night filled with indulgence and recklessness. The singer is under the influence of alcohol, as evident by the repeated mention of drinking and swerving. The rubber burning and swerving represent the singer's impaired driving. Despite his intentions of taking someone home, he admits to being unable to navigate the roads due to his intoxicated state.
The lyrics also touch upon the theme of escapism. The singer describes his life as scarred and filled with pain, but he tries to find solace in alcohol and music. The reference to pouring up more drinks and listening to his favorite CD implies that he is seeking temporary relief from his troubles through intoxication. However, he seems to be questioning his current state, mentioning that it doesn't feel right and expressing confusion about his direction.
The lyrics further emphasize the party atmosphere, with mentions of women and the excessive consumption of alcohol. The singer is surrounded by friends and a lively atmosphere, but there is a sense of emptiness indicated by the constant need for more drinks. Ultimately, the lyrics suggest that despite the chaos and indulgence, the singer is aware of his actions and potential consequences.
Line by Line Meaning
Rubber burning, burning I been drinking all night now I′m swverin', swervin′
The tires are screeching, screeching because I've been consuming alcohol all night and now I'm driving recklessly, swerving.
Damn her body's bad and it's curving, curving Trying to take her home but I′m swervin', swervin' (Drink got me swervin)
Her physique is impressive and it has attractive curves, making me want to bring her home, but I'm driving erratically due to the influence of alcohol.
What a life of ours, nights are scarred but where′s the pain go?
Our lives are eventful and filled with scars, but where does the emotional pain disappear?
Prolly in the same glass that this fucking drink go
Perhaps the same glass that this strong alcoholic beverage is poured into is where the pain dissipates.
Now I'm on the road, trying to find out where the lanes go
Currently, I'm driving on the road, attempting to determine the direction the lanes lead.
I dont even know, I-I-I-I dont even know
Honestly, I have no idea, I truly have no idea.
And I dont really smoke but this was just one of those days yo
Normally, I don't indulge in smoking, but today happens to be one of those exceptional days.
Pop in my favorite CD and let that whole shit play through
I insert my preferred compact disc and allow the entire content to play uninterrupted.
Now I'm thinking this the type of shit that I should drink to
Presently, I'm contemplating that this particular situation is worthy of celebrating with a drink.
Pour me up some mo, P-P-Pour me up some mo
Kindly serve me more alcohol, repeatedly pour me more.
How did I get here I swear this shit dont even seem right
I question how I ended up in this situation, as it genuinely doesn't feel right.
Swervin lanes and hit the left I can′t even see right
Changing lanes erratically and making a left turn, impairing my vision and making it difficult to see properly.
Tell me wheres the street lights, wait is that a green light?
Inform me of the location of the street lights, wait, is that a green traffic signal?
I dont even know, I-I-I- dont even know
Honestly, I have no idea, I truly have no idea.
The night was filled with life, but my glass was always empty
The night was energetic and lively, yet my glass remained perpetually devoid of any drink.
Bunch of ladies on me, all my niggas with me
Several females are attracted to me, and all my close companions are present as well.
Making more toast than a 3am at a Denny's
We raise our glasses to make numerous toasts, even more than during the late-night hours at a Denny's restaurant.
Pour me up some mo, P-P-Pour me up some mo
Kindly serve me more alcohol, repeatedly pour me more.
Bottles lifted we drinking so much it′s like the bottoms endless
We raise the bottles high, consuming alcohol to such an extent that it feels like the supply is inexhaustible.
Rubberbands with dollars in it, fat wallets with condoms in it
Rubberbands holding stacks of money, wallets filled with both cash and condoms for protection.
Nothing but money and time and fine women who wanna spend it
All we have is money and free time, along with attractive women desiring to enjoy it.
I just hope you ready if you coming with us
I only hope that you are prepared if you choose to join us in our endeavors.
Cause I'm...
Because I am...
Im just cruising down an open road on a night in Houston
I am simply driving smoothly along an unoccupied road on a night spent in Houston.
Shorty riding titties popping out like-like the eye of Houston
The girl riding with me has her breasts prominently displayed, similar to the way the skyline of Houston stands out.
Got me swerving lanes, al-alcohol is not influenced
Causing me to change lanes abruptly, yet the influence of alcohol does not play a role in this behavior.
Maybe so but the 5-0 still gotta prove it
Possibly, but the police still need to provide evidence and prove any wrongdoing on my part.
Til then I turn up that music-music do not touch my tuner
Until then, I increase the volume of the music playing, emphasizing that nobody should touch the tuner.
Sometimes pop it up but I′m
Occasionally adjusting the volume, but I'm...
Soaring like some fucking bruises
Ascending or rising rapidly, like certain painful marks on the skin.
Black Eyed Peas, no Fergie
Listening to the Black Eyed Peas' music without the presence of Fergie.
And Im rolling deep as Xerxes
I am traveling with a large group, similar to how Xerxes led a substantial army.
Don't get worried when you observing me swervin
Do not become concerned when you witness me driving erratically.
Writer(s): Wade Randal Johnson, Dope The Producer
Contributed by Juliana G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@bartjuhh12
This track has something timeless
@bartjuhh12
2020 still timeless
@yourvirtualdad
@@bartjuhh12 ayooo
@bartjuhh12
@@yourvirtualdad ... dad?!
@SteeloSon
XV where you at? I miss your music.
@8The8King8
Epicghostkiller still got Squarian Radio...
@Broosh
+Chavez Lol Squarian Radio. Supposed to be every month but he stopped in April? Shitty. And he promised The Kid With the Green Backpack releases this year, lets hope...
@8The8King8
MrBroosh true I'm soooo disappointed
@mavsman4193
Love XV's music! Glad I was able to see him live in Houston this past year! Support good music! L7
@richshmula7334
Still listening in 2023 and this kid was ahead of the game!!!