Unless you’re extremely in tune with the world of hip hop, chances are you’ve never heard of MAVI. For those of you who do not know the Charlotte based rapper, here’s a quick debrief.
Omavi Minder, better known as MAVI, has released three albums so far in his seven year career as a rapper: his critically lauded first project Let the Sun Talk, his dense sophomore effort Laughing so Hard, it Hurts, and his most recent album, shadowbox, which was a large shift from MAVI’s traditional sound. The twenty four year old was a neuroscience major at Howard University, and says his studies have greatly influenced his music. Minder is at the head of the abstract, conceptual style of rap, and has been consistently lauded as one of best lyricists in the next generation of rappers. MAVI is consistently compared to intensely lyrical rappers such as Earl Sweatshirt, billy woods, and MIKE, however his last album, shadowbox, helped him pave his own unique sound.
While all of MAVI’s projects are great listening experiences, shadowbox really stands out. Personally, I’ve listened to it upwards of forty times in the time since it has dropped. It has everything from a dark, depressed track in drunk prayer, to a banger to play in the car with too much to zelle, to a story of heartbreak in the giver. Although it’s mostly a dark themed, melancholy album, listening to shadowbox never seems to bring my mood down. Instead, MAVI’s bars leave me in a state of disbelief as I wonder how the heck he managed to say “betwixt” in a rap song and make it sound natural.
Often extremely intellectual, MAVI songs are made to be listened to while reading the lyrics. Otherwise it’s easy for bars such as “I’ve endured / the moral of my story is I’m impure / the horror of my story is I’ve been through it and I still do it” to slip past even the most attentive listener.
Sometimes, this can be tough as some people aren’t willing to commit half an hour to sit and really dig into an album. However, if you do decide to spend that time, all his albums are well worth it.
Over the course of MAVI’s career he has gone from sunny beats and upbeat bars to a dark and moody sound featuring lyrics chock full with depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. The difference between MAVI and a typical emo rapper is his knowledge. Rather than just complaining about everything going wrong, MAVI analyzes his struggles, knows he is in charge of fixing them, and then explains why and how he fixes it, or in the case of open waters, doesn’t. His analytical lyrics are a breath of fresh air, as they simultaneously educate and entertain the listener.
If you’re looking for a bouncy summer album, MAVI has that too. Let the Sun Talk is bright and fun and features MAVI dropping bars left and right about searching for a clear mind, stepping out into the sun, and taking a breath of fresh air.
Or if you want something in between, try Laughing so Hard it Hurts, where MAVI starts to pave his own sound as he raps about the struggles of becoming famous. This album is a bit more direct and bar heavy than Let the Sun Talk, however the typical cryptic narrative element of MAVI’s albums is not lost.
Something fabulous about MAVI is that everyone hears him differently. Depending on your headspace, a MAVI song can sound sad or hype or contemplative. Because of the crypticness in his lyrics, different people take away different things from his songs.
MAVI’s lyrical prowess and narrative abilities put him a step above his peers in the rap game. Very few upcoming artists have his talent and versatility, and certainly none have as well rounded a portfolio already. MAVI will be one to watch as the new generation of rappers takes over hip hop.
