Avg Rating: 
3.5 ( 21 total votes )
XV - Phobia
Artist: XV
Producer: The Awesome Sound
Album: Unreleased
Label: Square Bound Music/Warner Bros.
If you’ll forgive me for busting out a dusty old cliché, rappers on the rise should be careful what they wish for—cause they just might get it. Well aware of the speed with which dreams, when achieved, can turn into nightmares, perennial Booth fave XV takes his latest unreleased cut as an opportunity to reveal one of his deepest Phobias: “What I’m scared of is getting hits like a fiend, and then bein’ high and it’s not what it seems.” Over the slow-burning synth production of appropriately (if question-begging-ly) named beatsmith The Awesome Sound, the freestyle series alum lies down on the couch for a little mic therapy, voicing his trepidation regarding the fame and fortune that seem to lie in his future. On the record’s latter two-thirds, Vizzy deftly interweaves his professional insecurities with relationship metaphor and imagery from 2010 blockbuster Inception. Does this complex, thoughtful joint leave you craving more from the Kansas City phenom? Though Phobia isn’t attached to any forthcoming project, those digging it can hear more on April’s Zero Heroes mixtape, as well as keeping it locked for the latest on his long-awaited The Kid With the Green Backpack LP.
Listen to More: XV Written by richard
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Member Reviews and Ratings
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DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 11639 |
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Super quick feedback...
Solid record from XV, but nothing memorable. Our friend is super talented - and that is on display here - but he needs to strive toward greatness. Or are my expectations too lofty? 
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| Posted on Jun 13, 2011 |
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| Posted on Jun 13, 2011 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 92 |
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Def a DL. Had to get it soon as it hit HNHH. Can def relate to tha relationship metaphor in this song
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| Posted on Jun 13, 2011 |
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DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 73 |
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really dig the concept and the later verses definitely hit close to home. His home however is WIchita...not KCMO
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| Posted on Jun 13, 2011 |
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| Posted on Jun 13, 2011 |
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| Posted on Jun 13, 2011 |
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no they arent too high @Z, ive grown to expect greatness from vizzy, hoping he continues to bring it
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| Posted on Jun 13, 2011 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 4267 |
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Have to disagree with folks here about song not being memorable. My reaction when I heard the song? I was clicking that replay button like it was my job. And lets say, just like @DJZ on his grind, I'm putting in a couple extra hours here and there!
The appeal of the song lies in both the instrumental and the vocals that run throughout. We’ve got a good warm glow of sampled synth-bells combo (from CocoRosie's "RIP Burn Face") and appropriate amount of pace-setting synthesized beats in the background. It’s definitely a solid composition. I don’t really need to talk about XV performance since it was great, as always. XV comes from a more mature place, more experienced but with the wit and phrasing is that of youth, playful as he tackles relatable topics of dreams, uncertainty the future holds, love and commitment with references to Inception, Superman, Black Lagoon and popular message expressions. This song is just another display of his impressive songwriting, in line with his previous work such as "Everybody's Nobody", "Now Jump" and my favorite of all "Benjamin Button". And it also helps that song is equipped with a subtle hook, the lasting kind that sink in over time. So yeah. It’s definitely another memorable piece by XV and co. |
| Posted on Jun 13, 2011 |
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Tastemaker Total Ratings: 4267 |
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[Verse 1]
Yeah, do I want this bad as I think that I want it? Posters on the wall, you’d think that I’m wanted Jessie James style, living without laws A rebel without cause, and models without flaws sound good? Probably is texted Wiz asking him “where the party is?” still don’t go out cause I always feel like the n!gga nobody know ’bout So til I am a Billboard charter record label Martyr hold my bottle in July for sparklers going from 500 comments online to hit the club fresh and nobody comment on mine, I won’t lie sometimes it kills to dream but even Superman gets hurt by the green but what I’m scared of is getting hits like a fiend and then being high and it’s not what it seems Damn… [Hook] [Verse 2] Yeah, baby I’m your boogie-man she said maybe we should be friends maybe we should be then If that’s all it takes for us to break you could be my Rose but you chose to be the Vase she said I froze when she said “Let’s get a place!” like commitment is what I’m scared to make she don’t gotta go and look my mom in the face with three marriages that she views as mistakes Wait, you’ll never be that to me hope you know that in case you ever come back to me I know sometimes these 16s are just raps to me but me and your love grew so rapidly I still see you sleeping in the bed with your back to me How did our “forever after” not end happily? Actually, I guess it’s not goodbye you can open your eyes, baby we ain’t even high [Hook] [Verse 3] Counting my blessings watching Inception feeling like my dreams come true like the Totem fell over before the credits started rolling but these are just previews, it all would come soon I’m just living in it, like front rooms cause any minute it all could conclude chasing the high like running on blunt fumes came from the underground, creature from the Lagoon She’s so amazed by this life I live but I cannot stay, one night to give and I hate to say that I hit it and quit but in the back of my mind I know she thinks that I did and it kills me, tryna put my all into it in those BBMs you sent have a “R” next to it 143s turn to OMG’s TTYL, my flight's about to leave I know… |
| Posted on Jun 13, 2011 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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In Repeat Glad XV seems to be going back to the music that made me a fan of him
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| Posted on Jun 13, 2011 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 2905 |
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This is a solid XV song, not used to him away from Seven though, was a sick experiance : p
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| Posted on Jun 13, 2011 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 1805 |
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Another solid record from XV.
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| Posted on Jun 13, 2011 |
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| Posted on Jun 13, 2011 |
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DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 699 |
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Vizzy is gonna be huge. I'm a huge fan of his older stuff, but this shows more confidence and maturity. He's clearly developed in to a powerful emcee. Great track as always.
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| Posted on Jun 13, 2011 |
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DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 125 |
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Wonderfully composed track by both guys here. I gotta say I was expecting a bit better but over time you get overachievers so maybe next time I'll be blown away
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| Posted on Jun 13, 2011 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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a great track but not a song,that i'll be listin to over and over again so it's not memorable
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| Posted on Jun 14, 2011 |
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| Posted on Jun 14, 2011 |
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| Posted on Jun 14, 2011 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 676 |
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Like the beat & flow & catchy Hook....Tight track...
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| Posted on Jun 15, 2011 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 1227 |
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Sometimes XV songs sound the same. He could have come harder.
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| Posted on Jun 15, 2011 |
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| Posted on Jun 16, 2011 |
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| Posted on Jun 16, 2011 |
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