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RTB Next: Mavi

RTB Next: Mavi Talks The Alchemist, Earl Sweatshirt and Touring with Jack Harlow

Published Mon, May 2, 2022 at 5:20 PM EDT

quotes
"I can't write all the time cause I can't lie."

- Mavi

Emerging Charlotte emcee Omavi “Mavi” Minder, has been making huge strides in his journey as an up-and-coming wordsmith in Hip-Hop’s thriving alternative rap scene. Garnering attention from underground Hip-Hop fans with the release of his debut project Let The Sun Talk; and earning acclaim for his introspective storytelling, extensive vocabulary, and his uncompromisable honesty, the 22-year-old is set on paving his own path as one of the genre’s most promising storytellers, vowing to tell his truth, his whole truth, and nothing but his truth. 

“I can’t write all the time cuz I can’t lie,” Mavi raps on “Time Travel,” from his 2021 EP, END OF THE EARTH. A sentiment that he doubles down on as he explains how his music is a reflection of his real-life experiences and feelings, holding himself accountable for the stories he portrays about himself in his art. 

“If I clock out and I been lying in my raps, that is the truth as written by Mavi about Mavi,” he explains. “ I feel like, niggas be lying, niggas be cappin’ in they raps bro, and be having interesting ass life stories.” 

Well, Mavi has quite a story to tell. Following up his biggest year yet as a professional recording artist, as he boasts the lead single on The Alchemist's This Thing of Ours Vol. 2 Ep and joining rising rap superstar Jack Harlow for his Creme De La Creme tour, the North Carolina rapper is appreciative of the opportunities that have ultimately changed the trajectory of his career.

“First, let me thank Jack Harlow, like, for real, bro..."

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Mavi gushes, who joined Harlow on a 22-date national tour along with rising Detroit emcee, Babyface Ray. Mavi explains that Harlow was an early supporter of his work, reaching out to Mavi himself after hearing his END OF THE EARTH EP. 

“It was off of his vouch, and he was reaching out and encouraging me and giving me advice very soon after ‘Time Travel’ dropped and fucking with me and tapping in with the music. And he was telling me, ‘End of the Earth’ is some of his favorite music, and I’m like ‘Woah.’”

The North Carolina artist expresses his appreciation for Harlow introducing him to a wider audience, saying, “He did things he didn't have to do. He made TikToks, you know what I’m sayin’, him and Druski in the car listening to it. All this stuff that’s like really, really loving and helpful. And he could have done that to anyone else’s song, that’s way more poppin,' and they label might even pay them to do it.” 

Mavi spent time working closely with legendary California producer, The Alchemist in 2021, delivering a memorable, spirited performance on the track “Miracle Baby,” acting as the lead single to the beatmaker’s This Thing of Ours EP. The producer flew Mavi out to L.A. to shoot the song’s music video, work on music, and help the emerging artist with his upcoming project. 

“Last year was an interesting one because I intended to drop an album that wasn't able to come out."

"That’s why the End of The Earth EP was the thing of last year. And, I’m tryna get back up to release a different album that I made off of these recent experiences this year.” 

“I’m sorry, I gotta gush again, [Alchemist] made me the single, and the intro just didn't have to happen,” Mavi explains. “And he’s helping me do stuff and continuing what I got going on. He brought me out to L.A. Stayed over there, he helped me with the video. Things I would not have been able to put together by myself.” 

In preparation for his forthcoming album, Mavi released two new singles, showcasing his artistic duality with the spiritually introspective cut “Book' of Job” and his boisterous shit-talking-filled track “SORRY,” both produced by former internet personality and up-and-coming producer Jay Versace. Mavi holds nothing back on either track as he takes a moment to reflect on his accomplishments and blessings this early in his career. 

“Book of Job' comes from the biblical story. This nigga was up! He had family success, he had economic success, and he was spiritually devout, God took everything away from him, and he was still praising God,” Mavi explains; connecting the story of Job to his success in the music industry, explaining he will never lose his faith. 

“He was God’s best bet against the Devil, and I like that story. I had to internalize that because, sometimes as a person with an ego, you ask, ‘Why me?;’” he explains.

“You can never give up too much for the things you want. [The song] honors everything I’ve lost up until this point.” 

On “SORRY,” MAVI throws all the humility from “Book of Job” out the window, taking the gloves off, unapologetically talking his shit on the track. “I’m sorry it had to be me,” he raps on the track, apologizing to all his adversaries for having to step up and take the torch from the rap game. 

“Niggas be upset that it gotta be me. And I’m sorry too, I wish it could be everybody too,” he boasts. When asked why he felt he was destined to carry the torch, he laughed and answered, “I think that’s the part I should talk about the least, niggas know, though.” 

Mavi continues to blaze his trail as one of Hip-Hop’s most promising emerging wordsmiths. Since the breakout success of Let the Sun Talk and memorable verse on Earl Sweatshirt’s “El Toro Combo Meal,” Mavi has hit the ground running, proving to be wise beyond his years and, without a doubt, an emcee that is next up. 

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