XV (rapper)

XV, born Darius McFarland on July 21, 1985, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter from Wichita, Kansas. He gained prominence in the late 2000s and early 2010s through a series of mixtapes that showcased his lyrical ability, wordplay, and pop culture references, particularly those related to comics, video games, and anime.

XV's career began with local performances and independent releases before he garnered wider attention with mixtapes like Everybody's Nobody and Complex Simplicity. His breakthrough came with the Zero Heroes mixtape series, which was highly praised and led to him signing with Warner Bros. Records in 2010.

While signed to Warner Bros., XV released the mixtape Popular Culture and a collaboration EP with producer Seven titled Vizzy Zone. However, his debut album, originally titled The Kid With the Green Backpack, faced numerous delays and was ultimately never released.

In 2015, XV departed from Warner Bros. Records. He has since continued to release music independently, including mixtapes and singles, while maintaining a dedicated fanbase that appreciates his distinctive style and contributions to the mixtape era of hip-hop. XV's influence can be seen in the rise of other rappers who blend intricate lyricism with nerd culture themes.