XV teamed up with DJ ill Will & DJ Rockstar to produce Vizzy Zone. The project included all original production as well as features from the likes of Mike Posner, Talib Kweli, Bun B, Chiddy Bang, GLC, Colin Munroe, Killer Mike, and Mac Miller. Vizzy Zone, like Everybody's Nobody, received over 30,000 downloads.[18] XV explained that he made Vizzy Zone for his fans to DJBooth.
He said, "This one I’m really doin’ for my fans. I’m not doin’ it for my fans as far as, them just wanting music from me... And with me bein’ in the position I’m in right now, I need to hit them with something they can bump, since Everybody’s Nobody came out seven, eight months ago. So that’s my ultimate plan: give them some good music that follows up Everybody’s Nobody and that’s as good as Everybody’s Nobody, while I prepare The Kid With the Green Backpack which, right now, is amazing." Vizzy Zone still received strong reviews, but many believe that it wasn't good enough to follow up Everybody's Nobody.
On April 15th, 2011 XV released Zero Heroes. Critics have said it is the best XV release to date, and one of the top 2011 mixtapes so far. The mixtape Features Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy, Donnis, Kendrick Lamar, Cyhi Da Prynce, Vado, and more, along with Production from J. Cole, Just Blaze, Omen, The Awesome Sound, Swiff D, The Lieutenant, and of course long time production partner Seven.Days later after the release, a bonus song came out titled ,"Famous" featering Jazmine Sullivan & Sez Batters. The Mixtape has received over 120,000 downloads and 2 records in the Top 20 on The Hype Machine.
The Kid With The Green Backpack XV and Seven entered the studio in 2008 to begin working on a new album The Kid With The Green Backpack, a concept album inspired by Johnson's inability to comply with everyday style and ideas in school. Throughout middle school, XV was commonly known amongst his peers as "the kid with the green backpack", as they were unaware of his actual name.
XV documented assorted studio visits with YouTube videos "Making TKWTGB", complete with live brass and string instruments. The studio album has not yet been released but could have been released on October 9th, 2011. As of September 14th XV stated on twitter "XtotheV: Oh...and FYI. I'm not sure who does my Wikipedia page, but my debut album is NOT dropping October 9th. Or in 2011 for that matter. Patience." On twitter XV said that the album will be released sometime in the Summer of 2012. One confirmed tracked is "Pictures On My Wall".
