Omavi Ammu Minder (born October 7, 1999), better known as Mavi (stylized in all caps), is an American rapper from Charlotte, North Carolina.[1] Mavi emerged in 2014 as a member of North Carolina music collective KILLSWITCH, and later rose to prominence in 2019 with the release of his debut solo album Let the Sun Talk and his guest appearance on Earl Sweatshirt's EP Feet of Clay.[2] His most recent album, Shadowbox, was released in 2024.[3]

MAVI
Mavi in 2020
Mavi in 2020
Background information
Birth nameOmavi Ammu Minder
Also known asMayor, miracle baby
Born (1999-10-07) October 7, 1999 (age 25)
Sumter, South Carolina, U.S.
OriginCharlotte, North Carolina, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
InstrumentVocals
Years active2014–present
LabelsMavi 4 Mayor Music
WebsiteManagement Alicia Gelernt co Zay Shimkin

Artistry

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Mavi's style draws inspirations from Five-Percent Nation ideologies, which he named his first studio album Let the Sun Talk after. He cites rappers MF Doom and Prodigy of Mobb Deep as his main influences.

Mavi's music is marked by an often existential, intensely poetic writing style, and a laid back delivery.[4] His beat selection leans towards soul-sample heavy, stripped instrumentals.[5] Mavi's musical aesthetic is often associated compared to frequent collaborators Earl Sweatshirt and MIKE.[6]

Personal life

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Mavi's father was a hip hop producer and a gospel quartet singer.

Mavi was a neuroscience major at Howard University when he released Let the Sun Talk. He dropped out after his music began to garner interest.[7]

Discography

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Studio albums

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  • Let the Sun Talk (2019)
  • Laughing So Hard, it Hurts (2022)
  • Shadowbox (2024)

Extended plays

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  • End of the Earth (2021)[8]

Projects

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  • Beacon (2016)
  • No Roses (2017)

Collaborative albums

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  • Rosewood Records Presents: Killswitch 2017 (as a member of Killswitch) (2017)
  • Rosewood Records Presents: Killswitch Vol. 2 2019 (as a member of Killswitch) (2021)

References

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  1. ^ Callender, Brandon (2019-10-31). "MAVI's vision for a free, black future". The FADER. Retrieved 2021-02-12.
  2. ^ Bruce-Jones, Henry (2019-10-31). "Earl Sweatshirt enlists Alchemist, Mavi and Mach-Hommy for Feet Of Clay". Fact Magazine. Retrieved 2021-02-12.
  3. ^ Thompson, Paul A. "Mavi: Laughing so Hard, it Hurts". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2022-11-08.
  4. ^ "Mavi: Let the Sun Talk". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2023-12-16.
  5. ^ "Mavi: Let the Sun Talk". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2023-12-16.
  6. ^ "Mavi: Laughing so Hard, it Hurts". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2023-12-16.
  7. ^ Thorn, Jesse (February 3, 2023). "Rapper Mavi on his new album "Laughing So Hard It Hurts"". NPR. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  8. ^ "Listen to Mavi's End of the Earth EP".