New Music Revue: MAVI’s charisma shines on new album

Arts November 20, 2019

MAVI
Let the Sun Talk
(Independent)
4/5

While some artists benefit from high-budget production, Charlotte, North Carolina rapper MAVI thrives on skeletal, sample-heavy beats that allow his non-linear flow and sharp lyricism to shine through. When he’s not studying neuroscience at Howard University, MAVI constructs insightful songs detailing stories of human experience and understanding his identity as a Black artist. 

The Earl-Sweatshirt-produced track “Sense” sees MAVI discuss procrastinating on doing his school work and praising his own writing abilities. “Sense” is the album’s most confident-sounding track and showcases MAVI’s youthful charm. “Ghost (In the Shell)” is by far the record’s most hard-hitting song, as MAVI speaks bluntly about family trauma and health struggles. 

Choruses are almost non-existent on this album, and samples are an essential piece to each song. 

MAVI has a charming charisma alongside punchy off-kilter flows.