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."
When I Dream
XV Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I close my eyes I see your face, I'm just not sure how much a heart can mean x4
(Verse 1:Xv)
Sometimes I can't wait to sleep like I can't wait to be
In your arms grandmoms I love you though I hate to leave
When my eyes open realities sent sent for me
Tellin me your no longer here to chill and sit wit me
You visited my place, a week after your wake
I can't still see your clothes still see your face
You came in your wheelchair with banana nut cake
You hugged me told me you loved me, I smiled and said thanks
For everything you did for me, Everything you gave
Im talkin bout the time not the physical things
I mean your traits your place, the spiritual things
I mean anything I wanted, you gave me those things
3 o clock in the mornin fixed me cookies n cremes
When I reach heavens gate Im gonna look for your wings
But til then I can't wait to go to sleep when I dream
Of you
(Chorus)
When I close my eyes I see your face Im just not sure how much a heart can mean x4
(Verse 2:Xv)
I mean so much has happened since your gone
I can't wait to go to sleep tonight and tell you all about the songs
Im tellin the world what you did However I can
How you raised the kid I was to the man that I am
You held me when I was a baby held me when I was grown
Let me know that you were there when I felt all alone
Your responsible for me havin the family I have
My caring aunts and uncles who made up for my dad
You was my valentine you was my santa clause
You was my clarity when they can't understand at all
And I cry sometimes cus I hate you gone
But I still get to see you when I see my mom
I know you see me and my brothers like Im proud of yall
Theyd see your face if they can peek and just see through my heart
And though I wish that you were here I know you see it all
Cus you smilin when we chillin in my sleep and talk
When I dream
(Chorus)
When I close my eyes I see your face Im just not sure how much a heart can mean x4
(Verse 3:Xv)
Momma you've been my backbone
I wanna make that known
Even through all the drama I brought it back home
You were the strongest woman I ever seen
And I respect you for it all even when you was mean
I was a teen you still helped me follow my dream
Raised 4 kids 4 black men to achieve
Who would believe
Who would believe
You did it all by yourself Mama
With no welfare
You never asked for help mama
You had the lord on your side cus you an angel
And sometimes I just can't do nothin but thank you
Sometimes my dreams have me scared that they'll take you
It brings me to tears when I think I said I hate you
I love my grandma for the fact that she made you
And transfered the love into you that she gave you
Name where you wanna go and that's where I'll take you
You gave me everything that I needed now Im gon rapay you
(Chorus)
When I close my eyes I see your face Im just not sure how much a heart can meanx4
The song "When I Dream" by XV is a tribute to the people who have had a significant impact on the artist's life. The song reflects on the memories and emotions associated with these individuals. In the first verse, XV talks about his grandmother who passed away and how he still dreams about her. He recalls a dream he had in 2003 where she visited him after her death, which brings him comfort. The song serves as a reminder that even after the people we love are gone, they are still with us in our memories and dreams.
In the second verse, XV shifts focus to his mother, who has been his support system throughout his life. He expresses his gratitude toward her for raising him and his brothers, and for helping him achieve his dreams. He acknowledges that they had their share of struggles, but his mother's strength kept them going. XV also talks about the fear that comes with losing someone so important, and how it can be overwhelming at times.
In the third verse, XV continues to express his love and gratitude toward his mother. He promises to repay her for everything she has done for him and his siblings. The song ends with the chorus, where XV reflects on how much the people he loves mean to him, and how their memories continue to impact his life.
Overall, the song is a heartfelt tribute to the artist's loved ones, showcasing the importance of memories and the impact that important individuals can have on our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
When I close my eyes I see your face
The singer remembers his loved one who has passed away and imagines seeing them in his dreams.
I'm just not sure how much a heart can mean
He is expressing the depth of his love for the person he has lost and his uncertainty about how much love one heart can hold.
Sometimes I can't wait to sleep like I can't wait to be
The singer is looking forward to sleeping and dreaming of his loved one, just as he looks forward to spending time with them when they were alive.
In your arms grandmoms I love you though I hate to leave
The singer reminisces about being comforted by his grandmother and expresses his love for her, even though it's hard to leave her now that she's gone.
When my eyes open realities sent sent for me
When he wakes up from his dream, he is confronted with the reality that his loved one is no longer there and he misses them deeply.
You visited my place, a week after your wake
The singer had a dream in which his deceased loved one visited him a week after their funeral.
When I reach heavens gate Im gonna look for your wings
He hopes to be reunited with his loved one in heaven and is looking forward to seeing them again.
I mean so much has happened since your gone
The singer reflects on how much has changed since his loved one passed away.
You held me when I was a baby held me when I was grown
The singer remembers how his grandmother was always there for him throughout his life.
You was my clarity when they can't understand at all
His grandmother was someone he could turn to when nobody else could understand him.
And I cry sometimes cus I hate you gone
The singer is emotional and upset that his loved one is no longer with him.
You were the strongest woman I ever seen
He admires his mother's strength and resilience in raising him and his siblings on her own.
And sometimes I just can't do nothin but thank you
He is grateful for all that his mother has done for him and his family.
You gave me everything that I needed now Im gon rapay you
He plans to repay his mother for all her sacrifices and hard work in raising him and his siblings.
Contributed by Riley M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
millenial
XV's voice sounds deeper than the present XV.
Max Aronovitz
who was the person who disliked this. this is an incredible song
Dalt L
Best line with the most truth : Thanks for everything you did for me, everything you gave i'm talkin bout the time not the physical things.
ChrisSenpai___
true lyrics , beat on point, song reminds me of my Great Aunt. #GoodMusic
Dean Ando
So underrated. Love this song
Bitesize1991
whoa deep lyrics <3 love this guy :)
TheZonerGuy
If I Have The Gut's, I Will Perform This At My Grandmother's Funeral...
Mitchell Vaeda
did u
MrKrunkenstein
Beautiful song!!!
Matt Lee
simply beautiful and genius