20 years old and a student of neuroscience, Mavi unleashed his poetic talents on his debut album “Let The Sun Talk”. Released in late 2019, this album came across my way after reading an article where Mavi mentioned he’s a fan and inspired by MF Doom. The underground rapper’s influence can be heard on this album (as well as comparisons to Earl Sweatshirt) but Mavi is able to forge his own identity on “Let The Sun Talk”. Initially released as one long track, the album clocks in at just over 30 minutes with most songs clocking in under 2 minutes. Don’t mistake the briefness of this album with shallowness. More of a poet than a contemporary rapper Mavi’s lyrics are packed with skill and verbal dexterity, and offer a deep insight into the mind of Mavi. You can hear the influence of MF Doom with his robust rhyme schemes and underground sound. But the easier comparison is his contemporary Earl Sweatshirt, who even produced a track on this album. The lo-fi sound and Mavi’s deep cadence resemble the sound put together on Sweatshirt’s last album, “Some Rap Songs”. But here, Mavi is able to develop his own sound.

Word play, rhyme schemes, and cadence. Mavi seems like a natural. Again, his sound is more poetry than rap. This is best summed up on the track “Sense”...

“She said ‘what kind of songs you make?’

I make the kind you gotta read baby.”

These lyrics are dense and cover multiple topics, sometimes in the same bar or verse. One topic that is prevalent through the album is Mavi’s battles with depression and use of cannabis as medication, and his mother’s care and guidance through these times. This is presented in a on the 2nd track, Eye/I and I/Nation:

“Trauma I survived done left me planted, ain’t no buckling

Bar got raised up high by all the xan and when my lover dipped

I stay calm and guided through the qualms to reach the subtle shit.

But I still got anxiety, your calls will leave me tunneled in.

I got over lying underlying where my heart is.

I got puddled pride and troubled eyes cause I’m an artist

I been close to morgue underscoring where my mind was.”

“Self Love” has to be the highlight of this album for me. For one, the production utilizes an incredible sample from Sonia Ross’ “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart.” that fills out the beat on this track, with a beat switch 3 minutes in. It’s so appropriate. The song plays with lyrics that present the most intimate points of Mavi’s mind. There’s details about past love, sessions with his therapist, and insight on his relationship with his mother and cannabis.

While all of this is going on Mavi’s verbal skills are on display at their peak in this album. This is a great debut album and I hope Mavi finds time between his studies to make more music. It will be interesting how his style as a rapper evolves, and how he presents any future mental health issues.