Cities Aviv

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cities Aviv
Birth nameGavin Mays
Born1989 (age 31–32)[1]
OriginMemphis, Tennessee, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • record producer
Years active2008–present
Labels
  • Total Works
  • Young One
  • Mishka NYC
  • Ormolycka
  • Collect
  • Fat Sandwich
Associated actsCopwatch
Websitecitiesaviv.bandcamp.com

Gavin Mays (born 1989), better known by his stage name Cities Aviv, is an American rapper and record producer from Memphis, Tennessee.

Early life[]

Gavin Mays was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee.[4] He attended Overton High School and Cordova High School.[4] At the age of 20, he dropped out of the University of Memphis,[5] where he studied journalism.[6]

Career[]

Prior to his career as a rapper, Mays was a lead singer of a hardcore punk band, Copwatch.[7] During his involvement with the band, he began experimenting with hip hop music, eventually making a full leap into the genre.[7] In 2011, he released his debut mixtape, Digital Lows, which received positive reviews from music publications such as Pitchfork and Spin.[1]

In 2012, he released his follow-up mixtape, Black Pleasure, through streetwear company Mishka NYC's record label before signing to Young One Records.[1] After releasing the "URL IRL" single in 2013, he released his debut studio album, Come to Life, on Young One Records in 2014.[8] In 2018, he released Raised for a Better View.[9]

Musical style and influences[]

Cities Aviv is known for his eclectic production style.[7] His songs sample various artists of different genres.[7] His influences include Three 6 Mafia,[1] 8Ball & MJG,[1] Black Moon,[1] Big Pun,[7] Non Phixion,[7] and soul music,[7] as well as rock music acts Joy Division and Deftones.[4] Critics also noted post-punk influences on his works,[10][11] accompanied by lyrical references to Joy Division and Psychic TV.[11][12]

Cities Aviv's rapping style and flow was compared to those of RZA[13] and MC Ride of Death Grips.[14]

Discography[]

Studio albums

  • Come to Life (Young One Records, 2014)
  • Your Discretion Is Trust (2015)
  • Immortal Flame (2020)
  • Gum (2020)
  • Accompanied by a Blazing Solo (2020)
  • The Crashing Sound of How It Goes (Total Works / PTP, 2021)[15]

Mixtapes

  • Digital Lows (2011)
  • Black Pleasure (2012)
  • Raised for a Better View (2018)

Singles

  • "Coastin'" (2011)
  • "Wet Dream" (2011)
  • "Flex Your Gold" (2012)
  • "I Want All" (2012)
  • "URL IRL" (2013)

Guest appearances

Productions

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e f Lymangrover, Jason. "Cities Aviv - Biography". AllMusic. Archived from the original on February 25, 2016. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
  2. ^ "20 Alternative Hip-Hop Artists Who Are Making Things Interesting: Cities Aviv". Pigeons and Planes. June 12, 2014. Archived from the original on May 19, 2018. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
  3. ^ "Cloud Rap: The Spacey, Cyber-Born Hip-Hop Subgenre". Highsnobiety. June 25, 2015. Archived from the original on May 21, 2016. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
  4. ^ a b c Milam, Chris (July 14, 2011). "Another Cup of Coffee with Cities Aviv". The Vinyl District. Archived from the original on July 1, 2015. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
  5. ^ Billings, Lane (June 13, 2012). "12 Tennessee Bands You Should Listen to Now". Paste. Archived from the original on April 3, 2015. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
  6. ^ Herrington, Chris (December 2, 2011). "That Modern Man Sound". Memphis. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g Minsker, Evan (September 20, 2011). "Rising: Cities Aviv". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on July 27, 2012. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
  8. ^ Bromwich, Jonah (September 27, 2013). "Cities Aviv "URL IRL"". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on June 17, 2016. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  9. ^ Lin, Yu-Cheng (March 1, 2018). "Hip-Hop Mixtapes of the Month: February 2018". Red Bull. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  10. ^ Breihan, Tom (December 5, 2012). "Mixtape Of The Week: Cities Aviv Black Pleasure". Stereogum. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
  11. ^ a b Cohen, Ian (November 26, 2012). "Cities Aviv: Black Pleasure". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on May 23, 2014. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
  12. ^ Soderberg, Brandon (November 14, 2012). "Rap Release of the Week: Cities Aviv's 'Black Pleasure'". Spin. Archived from the original on November 27, 2012. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
  13. ^ Soderberg, Brandon (June 23, 2011). "Cities Aviv: Digital Lows". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on July 5, 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
  14. ^ Jeffries, David. "Come to Life - Cities Aviv". AllMusic. Archived from the original on January 31, 2014. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
  15. ^ "THE CRASHING SOUND OF HOW IT GOES". Bandcamp. Retrieved 18 September 2021.

External links[]

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