Cities Aviv

Underground Memphis producer/rapper Gavin Mays lays down hazy beats in his solo project Cities Aviv. Influenced by left-of-center rap groups like Three 6 Mafia, 8Ball and MJG, and Black Moon, at 22 years old he released his 2011 mixtape, Digital Lows. Pitchfork and Spin gave the album glowing reviews, calling it one of the best underground rap releases of the year. He released the Black Pleasure album in 2012 on the streetwear brand Mishka's record label before signing with the Young One imprint. A year later, Young One released his "URL IRL" single along with the album Come to Life. Cities Aviv collaborated with Mykki Blanco and Antwon in 2014, and following his relocation to Brooklyn, he self-released a new digital single, "Neutralizer"/"Graced and Blessed," in 2015. ~ Jason Lymangrover