Cities Aviv

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

Cities Aviv
Birth nameWilbert Gavin Mays[1]
Born1989 (age 33–34)[2]
OriginMemphis, Tennessee, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • record producer
Years active2008–present
Labels
  • Total Works
  • Young One
  • Mishka NYC
  • Ormolycka
  • Collect
  • Fat Sandwich
Websitecitiesaviv.bandcamp.com

Early life

Gavin Mays was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee.[5] He attended Overton High School and Cordova High School.[5] At the age of 20, he dropped out of the University of Memphis,[6] where he studied journalism.[7]

Career

Prior to his career as a rapper, Mays was a lead singer of a hardcore punk band, Copwatch.[8] During his involvement with the band, he began experimenting with hip hop music, eventually making a full leap into the genre.[8] In 2011, he released his debut mixtape, Digital Lows, which received positive reviews from music publications such as Pitchfork and Spin.[2]

In 2012, he released his follow-up mixtape, Black Pleasure, through streetwear company Mishka NYC's record label before signing to Young One Records.[2] After releasing the "URL IRL" single in 2013, he released his debut studio album, Come to Life, on Young One Records in 2014.[9] In 2018, he released Raised for a Better View.[10]

Musical style and influences

Cities Aviv is known for his eclectic production style.[8] His songs sample various artists of different genres.[8] His influences include Three 6 Mafia,[2] 8Ball & MJG,[2] Black Moon,[2] Big Pun,[8] Non Phixion,[8] and soul music,[8] as well as rock music acts Joy Division and Deftones.[5] Critics also noted post-punk influences on his works,[11][12] accompanied by lyrical references to Joy Division and Psychic TV.[12][13]

Cities Aviv's rapping style and flow was compared to those of RZA[14] and MC Ride of Death Grips.[15]

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)[16]
  • Man Plays the Horn (2022)
  • Working Title for the Album Secret Waters (2022)

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)
  • "If I Could Hold Your Soul" (2017)
  • "WAYS OF THE WORLD" (2021)
  • "CINEMA CLUB" (2022)

Guest appearances

Productions

References
  1. "A MILLION SMILES". ASCAP. American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  2. Lymangrover, Jason. "Cities Aviv - Biography". AllMusic. Archived from the original on February 25, 2016. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
  3. "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.
  4. "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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. Herrington, Chris (December 2, 2011). "That Modern Man Sound". Memphis. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  8. Minsker, Evan (September 20, 2011). "Rising: Cities Aviv". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on July 27, 2012. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
  9. Bromwich, Jonah (September 27, 2013). "Cities Aviv "URL IRL"". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on June 17, 2016. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  10. Lin, Yu-Cheng (March 1, 2018). "Hip-Hop Mixtapes of the Month: February 2018". Red Bull. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  11. 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.
  12. Cohen, Ian (November 26, 2012). "Cities Aviv: Black Pleasure". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on May 23, 2014. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
  13. 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.
  14. Soderberg, Brandon (June 23, 2011). "Cities Aviv: Digital Lows". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on July 5, 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
  15. Jeffries, David. "Come to Life - Cities Aviv". AllMusic. Archived from the original on January 31, 2014. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
  16. "THE CRASHING SOUND OF HOW IT GOES". Bandcamp. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
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