Avg Rating: 
4.8 ( 26 total votes )
There’s a reason they call hip-hop the grind, the game, the hustle. Making music is about much more than just making music. It’s about building a loyal fan base through relentless touring, establishing yourself as a brand and shaking hands until you have an iPhone full of connections. It’s not always fair, but it’s the game. It’s been the game since the beginning of the music industry and it will be the game until the day the industry dies. But if success was solely about making music, if the best rappers were always the most … ...Read the full album review
Fans can also check out XV's previous albums: XV - Mixtape Anthology | XV - Squarians Vol. 1 | XV - Popular Culture | XV - Vizzy Zone (Deluxe Edition)
DJBooth Album Review
There’s a reason they call hip-hop the grind, the game, the hustle. Making music is about much more than just making music. It’s about building a loyal fan base through relentless touring, establishing yourself as a brand and shaking hands until you have an iPhone full of connections. It’s not always fair, but it’s the game. It’s been the game since the beginning of the music industry and it will be the game until the day the industry dies. But if success was solely about making music, if the best rappers were always the most famous rappers, XV would already be a star.
XV may be the best rapper you’ve never heard of – unless of course you’re a DJBooth regular, in which case he’s been in your speakers for months. Hailing from the rarely hailed state of Kansas, XV has been simmering just below the surface of hip-hop stardom ever since the release of his debut album Complex in 2006. XtotheV has spent the last few years honing his craft, establishing his place in the game as an MC to watch out for and building buzz for his forthcoming album, The Kid With the Green Backpack. Enter his new mixalbum, Everybody’s Nobody, a work that will serve as a comprehensive introduction to anyone brand new to the world of XV, and as a compelling teaser to the album for long time fans. America, meet Kansas’ great rapping hope.
One of the consistent criticisms, fair or not, of XV’s early work was his similarity to other major rappers, and there are undeniably elements of Lupe’s dense pop culture references and Kanye’s syncopated delivery in his flow, but on Everybody’s Nobody XV proves that he’s grown into his own man, starting with the title track Everybody’s Nobody. Everybody is XV’s manifesto, a declaration of his rap intentions: “I see my life in versions, from the person in the stands/so when I’m higher than the ceiling, I’m still down with my fans.” In other words, XV’s realized, perhaps the hard way, that while fame is fleeting, fans will be loyal to musicians who truly affect their lives forever. Oh, and he also mentions losing out to A Milli during 2008’s Best of the Booth Awards (no disrespect, but no one was topping A Milli last year, nobody). The same honest insight and dynamic delivery XV displays on Everybody pervades the entire mixalbum, most notably on the introspective Mirror’s Edge, a slowly paced joint XV uses to bring us inside his mind, and on Gobstopper, an up-tempo track full of so many references it takes at least five listens to catch em all. Long story short, if you want a lyricist that doesn’t take himself too seriously, a rapper who can rap but doesn’t always rap about rapping, you want XV.
Despite all his obvious talent and vision, or maybe because of it, XV is still unsigned, so it’s understandable that he uses Everybody’s Nobody as a playground to demonstrate his musical flexibility. Just take Vizzy, Vizzy, Vizzy, a sparsely produced track with a chopped hook and XV at his most swaggeringest – I know that’s not a word, but it is now. Put in contrast to the introspectively soulful Mirror’s Edge the track is night and day, a necessary stylistic switch to ensure XV doesn’t get boxed in and slapped with a backpacker label. Even more adventurous is the electro-edged A.D.D., a bouncing cut with dance energy and a mid-90s rhyme style that while I don’t particularly like, I respect. And I haven’t even gotten into the Ne-Yo assisted Use To yet, the mixalbum’s proof that XV can make radio-ready joints for the ladies. On a full-fledged album this kind of stylistic maneuvering would come across as inconsistent, but on a mixalbum it’s a fitting demonstration of the man’s versatility. It’s why the mixalbum was created.
As good as Everybody’s Nobody is, it’s still only a beginning. XV needs to continue to develop his own style, making sure anyone who hears one of his tracks know it’s an XV joint instantly. XV’s talent and drive holds the promise of a long career. Whether or not that promise is realized is up to him. Because making music is about so much more than just making music.
Listen to More: XV Written by Nathan S.
More From XV
Submit a Review and/or Rating
Member Reviews and Ratings
Average Member Rating: Total Ratings: 26
|
Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 4267 |
Rating:
I LOVE ME SOME DJBOOTH.NET ... Major props for making this MixAlbum a Review Feature cos it deserves just as much attention/love out there. CANNOT WAIT FOR THIS!!!
*Hoping that Young Son's record gonna get the same treatment* |
| Posted on Jul 30, 2009 |
|
DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 334 |
Rating:
I thought he was talking about losing to "Ransom"...
|
| Posted on Jul 30, 2009 |
|
DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 267 |
Rating:
 Stoked that this one got on the Features. Always glad to hear something new from the creative and talented XV.
|
| Posted on Jul 30, 2009 |
|
DJ Booth Member |
This is going be the best mixtape ever!!! Major props to XV... YerrDiggg!!! haha
|
| Posted on Jul 31, 2009 |
|
DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 11676 |
Rating:
One of my favorites releases, major or indie / album or mixtape, this year. Dude has UNREAL talent. I am just glad we jumped on his co-sign train EARLY.
|
| Posted on Aug 01, 2009 |
|
DJ Booth Member |
Rating:
where can i download this album
|
| Posted on Aug 01, 2009 |
|
Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 1309 |
Rating:
You're crazy for not giving this a solid rating Nathan!!! you need vacations ;) jk man, good work! As always, nice intro, they are always dope!!! Really, the whole review structure was dope, the way you write it around the idea "Because making music is about so much more than just making music.".
I loved this! Not a single bad song! My favs: 12- Life Vs. Livin' ft. Big Sean (produced by Omen), 14- Fall Out The Sky (produced by Seven, SICK piano and a hard tempo to manage), 16- The Rabbit Hole (produced by Omen, this is an amazing musical trip down the rabbit hole indeed!) I supported XV from the beginning, and he never disappoints me. The delivery, the lyrics, the subjects... favorite rapper material! This is mos def an ALBUM! |
| Posted on Aug 01, 2009 |
|
Tastemaker Total Ratings: 4267 |
Rating:
A-Yo! I'm loving this to pieces yo!
After the curiosity factor has worn off, it still plays amazingly well and displays not just the talents of one entity with whom music fans are already familiar but also, and more importantly, Seven's seamless ability to produce BANGERS! one after another. The artistry that rapper XV and producer Seven create together can't be denied. How the often unrecognized and entirely underrated duo continue to do it each time could be described as magical. The beats and rhymes only get fresher and fresher! ..... few individuals sound as natural together as XV and Seven. Se7en produces the beats and spins the wheels, matching almost perfectly with XV's concepts and topics. What impresses most is that the theme of XV songs do not stray midway through as most rappers tend to do. Instead, XV delivers songs that are all focused on a specific idea and hold strong to them "Everybody's Nobody". He doesnt only write raps that not only rhyme but have interesting concepts "Mirror's Edge", while simultaneously flowing over beats that BANG! without being hip-hop cliches "A.D.D" and can take the subject of female relations with equal ease when need be on "Used To". Most importantly, this shows the diversity of XV and proves that he can triumph on several levels and without inhibitions. A full 13 of the 18 musical tracks are produced by Seven his longtime collaborator: tight drums and a futuristic, sci-fi flavor, all wrapped up into a highly polished, professional sound with XV spittin raps away on top of it displaying his lyrical dexterity and hook making abilities. Other featured producers holds down the fort with their respective music that will rock your headphones and rattle the speakers in your trunk especially Omen's production on "Life Vs livin". No two songs sounds alike and each one is catchy. There's virtually no filler .... Lyrically, Xv is both able-tongued and justifiably confident, not trying too hard to impress us with intricate technique or breath control but nonetheless able to take it there if need be. He may not be addressing interesting political messages/social commentary BUT it's the unpredictable and charming way which XV delivers his fresh! raps which keep things interesting ..... On display is water-tight technique, plenty of clever turns of phrase and XV has enough charisma, MC skills, and production talent to counter any argument against his 'all clever but no substance' subject matter. All in all, the best artists know how to create a mood or atmosphere - even if not every single part works perfectly, the sum is more than enough to suffice ..... From fast paced techno/futuristic production capable of getting a party started "A.D.D" to head nodding loops appropriate for riding "Gobstopper" in the car, everything is included, that has the will to elevate any gloomy mood .... "Mirror's Edge" doesn't necessarily make a whole lot of sense at first, but the rhymes are remarkably complex considering the tone of the record. The result is lyrics both instantly enjoyable and endlessly intriguing, delivered in voice skillfully used like instrument .... "Bad News" is one of the hottest release over this beat. And then there is "Undeniable" track that is constructed with pulsating mixtures of piano-loop, snare, drums, background vocals layered upon each other, and this causes a remarkably crowded yet soooo pleasent feeling that will take many, many listens to fully sort out. Songs like this are the absolute peak of hip-hop creativity ..... Like every rapper from an overlooked region, XV would love nothing more than to be the guy who puts Kansas on the map as he sings on "Me, You" without sacrificing any verbosity or wit in the process .... All the guests ride along perfectly on this album and add flavour to the Mixalbum with their guest verses. The futuristic/eclectic vibe on the rack "Gobstopper" perfectly fits Wiz Khalifa's style and manner .... but no matter who wrecks the joint, its all XV's show throughout. One more area where this Mixalbum shines is XV's brilliancy in the art of crafting a song. A rapper who likes to sing his own hooks (and sing them well to boot) and it's obvious on every one of his hooks - "Awesome" -- "Everybody's Nobody" -- "Blinded" -- "Life Vs Livin" -- "U Got It" ..... XV's knack for the construction of addictive and harmonized hooks further sets him apart from his counterparts .... Going through this Mixalbum one keeps searching for the track that will convince one XV couldn't be this fresh and simultaneously so little known BUT the truth is it's as fruitless a search as trying to find weapons of mass destruction in Church. While the whole album is a pleasure to listen to from start to finish, here are my Top Picks: 1. Everybody's Nobody 2. Mirror's Edge 3. Undeniable 4. In Due Time 5. A.D.D. 6. Come Back Down Actually that's a bit misleading, because all of the songs are outstanding, and each listener is likely to find their own personal favorites in the process of being charmed by XV. Recognition may come tomorrow or five years from now, but if XV keeps making records like this recognition will ultimately be inevitable or should I say "Undeniable" ..... |
| Posted on Aug 02, 2009 |
|
Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 2130 |
Rating:
My Thoughts After Listening:
I thought this joint was a really solid tape! I’ve been rocking with XV every since I was introduced to his music on his DJBOOTH.NET Series. I was definitely feeling this. I liked the future style tracks, BUT, what really actually appealed to me was his more introspective and at times, SOULFUL joints opposed to the more new age joints. That’s just my forte. “In Due Time” contained the most powerful message on the project and is overall my favorite track. The only joints I rocked with were “Awesome”, “Come back Down”, “Life Vs. Life, “Now Look”, “Fall Out The Sky, Me, You (THE UPTOWN FREESTYLE verse! LOL), The Rabit Hole, Undenianble and Bad News (shots at Mickey? Wonder what completely happened with that sitaution). Overall, I thought it was a great tape. Much props XV. I hope we can connect for a collab sometime soon if you are available. KEEP SUPPORTING THE NEW SCHOOL Y’ALL! |
| Posted on Aug 02, 2009 |
|
Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 2281 |
Rating:
This album is my joint. Why is all the best albums free? XV exceeded all of my expectations and then some. I would have been happy to pay full price for this new school classic joint. My fav 5 are as follows in no order.
1. Come back down 2.Now Look 3.The Rabbit Hole 4.Undeniable 5In Due Time (new version of one of my fav songs of all time Outkast and Goodie mob) I have to mention how complete this work is, from his lyrics, delivery, production, to the guests holding their weight. This is about as perfect as a mixtape can get. |
| Posted on Aug 04, 2009 |
|
DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 89 |
Rating:
classic all the way
|
| Posted on Aug 04, 2009 |
|
DJ Booth Member |
Rating:
Crack
|
| Posted on Aug 04, 2009 |
|
Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 303 |
Rating:
After listening to this CLASSIC I have officially become a fan of XV. Man, I had no idea he was this nice. I'm VERY impressed.
|
| Posted on Aug 12, 2009 |
|
DJ Booth Member |
Rating:
This mixtape is just plain DOPE. It got me hooked when I heard the first 3 songs. Also, he is letting you download the mixtape for free on his myspace. http://www.myspace.com/xtothevizzy it's on his blog.
|
| Posted on Aug 12, 2009 |
|
DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 14 |
Rating:
downloaded this off datpiff.com & i gotta say great mixtape!!!!!!!!!!
|
| Posted on Aug 31, 2009 |
|
DJ Booth Member |
Rating:
amazing mixtape, XV shows us all again why is is one of the best underrated rappers in the game!!!
|
| Posted on Sep 03, 2009 |
|
DJ Booth Member |
Rating:
real good album..no doubt..goin to balance out for 4.5
|
| Posted on Sep 09, 2009 |
|
DJ Booth Member |
Rating:
This cd/mixtape is epic, piont blank period
|
| Posted on Oct 06, 2009 |
|
DJ Booth Member |
Rating:
my favorite mixtape that ive ever downloaded, havent stoped playing this in my car and stero and doubt i will for a long time
|
| Posted on Oct 10, 2009 |
|
DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 15 |
Rating:
I know I'm late, but this is, to me, the third best mixtape of the year after, So Far Gone & No Ceilings. I've been listening to XV since I heard "Give You Everything" on SOUNDCLICK, which prompted me to download "The Complex Experiment 1." So yeah I been rocking with XV for a long time. He's definitely evolved as a lyricist & listening to his growth has added to my growth as a lyricist. I guess I feel him a lot more bcuz he's in the situation I'm in coming from a place that doesn't get that respect, even though Memphis is recognized. But with tracks like "Everybody's Nobody, Awesome, Come Back Down, Life vs. Livin, & Rabbit Hole," how can you deny him? I think he like Wiz should stay independent & build up a buzz.
|
| Posted on Dec 11, 2009 |
|
DJ Booth Member |
Rating:
nothing but dope songs, would buy this off the shelf over most major artist albums
|
| Posted on Dec 29, 2009 |
|
|
Rating:
|
| Posted on Feb 23, 2010 |
|
DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 188 |
Rating:
Classic mixtape. XV is really good. The production is amazing on this and XV brings comedy, wordplay, punchlines, you name it on any given song. This was so good i even downloaded all his 14 other tapes off his blog and spent like a week listening to every single one of them.
|
| Posted on Apr 12, 2010 |
|
DJ Booth Member |
Rating:
Honestly this is one of the Best mixtapes I have ever heard both lyrically and beat wise. Lyrics like "with everybody fly, nobody's down to earth" show the new XV followers just how creative and unique he truly is. Also, Seven on the beats shows his broad range of beats from slow ones like fall out the sky to ghobstoper. This mixtape is a must have
|
| Posted on Apr 14, 2010 |
|
DJ Booth Member |
Rating:
a star is born
|
| Posted on Apr 27, 2010 |
|
|
Rating:
|
| Posted on May 25, 2010 |
|
DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 6 |
Rating:
Signed
|
| Posted on Aug 12, 2010 |
|
DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 53 |
Rating:
This mixtape is a classic!!!
|
| Posted on Oct 03, 2011 |
|
|
Rating:
|
| Posted on Jan 31, 2012 |
FEATURED ARTIST
FEATURED ALBUM
TOP 20 MUSIC CHARTS
The top rated new Hip Hop & R&B songs on DJBooth, updated every Sunday.
