The Avi8tor

/> What does it mean to survive? Websters term says to live longer than, to persist, remain usable through, to cope with and to persevere after. If you ask Savive, its all hes ever done to become a walking testimony for those in the struggle.Savives unmistakable sense of charisma and humility are delivered through clever lyrics and memorable choruses that use humor but manage to retain an intrinsic value to what hip-hop is all about. Still, listeners may be appalled to know that this artist offers more than swirling a t-shirt.Born Savi..an Harris, the 27 year old Raleigh, North Carolina native is not what most people would consider an actual voice for the South. Greatly influenced by 80s urban films such as Wild Style, Breakin and Krush Groove, he would be drawn in early to the likes of break-dancing. He remembers, Me and my older brother would be up listening and learning to mix and scratch vinyl records all hours of the night, and in the same sense, wed be trying to create moves on our living room floor.But it was later on when he realized he had greater talents. He remembers watching his mother in the kitchen singing songs and at that very moment, he had fallen in love with singing. She was so melodic he says, I had been under this roof and around her my whole life, and she was hiding this gift of hers from me. If she hadnt done that, I dont know where Id be right now. From then on, he would study groups such as Boyz II Men, Silk, Jodeci, and a then upcoming star, Usher.While music had taken a place in his heart, he would also find himself in a world of turmoil. Growing up in what some would say were a happy home, Savi..an would have the feel of neglect from his father, which caused him to pull riotous acts that would later place him in a halfway house for juveniles. My father always thought he could buy love, he says. It got me and our relationship absolutely nowhere. He would then build great relationships with friends from all over he had never been exposed to.Given the opportunity to live with his family, he went home to finish out high school and pursue his singing career. But a final tantrum was thrown as was he into the streets when discovered infidelity in his household. He then lived out of his car, finding ways to thrive by showering in his school gym and using gas money to eat. He then was offered to live under his grandmothers roof, which had more people inhabited than space. I remember coming home with a check from Burger King I bought them some food to help out and I bought some things for myself, and the next day, their things and MY things would be gone, he says. It was like living with savages.From there, he knew that he didnt want to live that type of life. He continued on to pursue his dream with newfound friends from New York and New Jersey. Forming a group shortly after meeting at a photo shoot, Savive had known that the chemistry was absolutely perfect for the masses. Given a shot to perform for 60,000 people for a local radio station after winning the classic Battle of the Beats competition, a huge buzz was building for the local emcee. But after group inconsistencies and no shows, the buzz was gone as quick as it came. After struggling and being denied job after job, he then grew weary and went into the US Navy where he would have a sense of job security. No sooner than joining, the 911 attacks occurred and he was sent to deploy to the Persian Gulf. After two deployments, he would return to the US where he would be assigned to Key West, Florida. It was then he realized he was transforming into something greater.After much hard work, in 2004 he released a self-titled EP and had clubs all over northern Florida bangin with his hit single Crush on U. Savive was a perfectionist asking for unbiased feedback on his performances from different crowds, producers and promoters. He took their critiques and advice and used them to challenge himself, to perfect his craft and take his work to the next level.While critiques remained positive, there was still something missing He had done shows for exposure and feedback, he remained humble and would keep himself private from all the world. Mentors and peers, alike, had been harping him for remaining in secrecy. My man told me he doesnt like talking to me because I make him mad, says Savive. I asked him why and he told me cause you dont WANNA be heard. I told him that all I really ever wanted to do was get steam off my chest; its like therapy for me. He turns and says did you ever think that your therapy could be someone elses?.And from there he set camp on the trail of music. Instead of pestering himself into destitution, he then became a household name for the hopeless. All that kid needed was someone in his corner, says mentor Calvin Cerone. You give him that and hes gonna go farther than the SKY can see.What does it mean to survive? Websters term says to live longer than, to persist, remain usable through, to cope with and to persevere after. If you ask Savive, its all hes ever done to become a walking testimony for those in the struggle.Savives unmistakable sense of charisma and humility are delivered through clever lyrics and memorable choruses that use humor but manage to retain an intrinsic value to what hip-hop is all about. Still, listeners may be appalled to know that this artist offers more than swirling a t-shirt.Born Savi..an Harris, the 27 year old Raleigh, North Carolina native is not what most people would consider an actual voice for the South. Greatly influenced by 80s urban films such as Wild Style, Breakin and Krush Groove, he would be drawn in early to the likes of break-dancing. He remembers, Me and my older brother would be up listening and learning to mix and scratch vinyl records all hours of the night, and in the same sense, wed be trying to create moves on our living room floor.But it was later on when he realized he had greater talents. He remembers watching his mother in the kitchen singing songs and at that very moment, he had fallen in love with singing. She was so melodic he says, I had been under this roof and around her my whole life, and she was hiding this gift of hers from me. If she hadnt done that, I dont know where Id be right now. From then on, he would study groups such as Boyz II Men, Silk, Jodeci, and a then upcoming star, Usher.While music had taken a place in his heart, he would also find himself in a world of turmoil. Growing up in what some would say were a happy home, Savi..an would have the feel of neglect from his father, which caused him to pull riotous acts that would later place him in a halfway house for juveniles. My father always thought he could buy love, he says. It got me and our relationship absolutely nowhere. He would then build great relationships with friends from all over he had never been exposed to.Given the opportunity to live with his family, he went home to finish out high school and pursue his singing career. But a final tantrum was thrown as was he into the streets when discovered infidelity in his household. He then lived out of his car, finding ways to thrive by showering in his school gym and using gas money to eat. He then was offered to live under his grandmothers roof, which had more people inhabited than space. I remember coming home with a check from Burger King I bought them some food to help out and I bought some things for myself, and the next day, their things and MY things would be gone, he says. It was like living with savages.From there, he knew that he didnt want to live that type of life. He continued on to pursue his dream with newfound friends from New York and New Jersey. Forming a group shortly after meeting at a photo shoot, Savive had known that the chemistry was absolutely perfect for the masses. Given a shot to perform for 60,000 people for a local radio station after winning the classic Battle of the Beats competition, a huge buzz was building for the local emcee. But after group inconsistencies and no shows, the buzz was gone as quick as it came. After struggling and being denied job after job, he then grew weary and went into the US Navy where he would have a sense of job security. No sooner than joining, the 911 attacks occurred and he was sent to deploy to the Persian Gulf. After two deployments, he would return to the US where he would be assigned to Key West, Florida. It was then he realized he was transforming into something greater.After much hard work, in 2004 he released a self-titled EP and had clubs all over northern Florida bangin with his hit single Crush on U. Savive was a perfectionist asking for unbiased feedback on his performances from different crowds, producers and promoters. He took their critiques and advice and used them to challenge himself, to perfect his craft and take his work to the next level.While critiques remained positive, there was still something missing He had done shows for exposure and feedback, he remained humble and would keep himself private from all the world. Mentors and peers, alike, had been harping him for remaining in secrecy. My man told me he doesnt like talking to me because I make him mad, says Savive. I asked him why and he told me cause you dont WANNA be heard. I told him that all I really ever wanted to do was get steam off my chest; its like therapy for me. He turns and says did you ever think that your therapy could be someone elses?.And from there he set camp on the trail of music. Instead of pestering himself into destitution, he then became a household name for the hopeless. All that kid needed was someone in his corner, says mentor Calvin Cerone. You give him that and hes gonna go farther than the SKY can see.