Cities Aviv Biography

Biography

Cities Aviv is an American rapper and record producer from Memphis, Tennessee. He is known for releasing Alternative Hip Hop and Cloud Rap songs.

Early Start

Gavin Mays, also known as Cities Aviv, was born in 1989 in Memphis, Tennessee, where he was raised. He attended Overton High School and Cordova High School. He enrolled at the University of Memphis to study Journalism after graduating and dropped out in 2020. Mays dropped out at the age of 2020.

Career

Cities Aviv began his music career as a member of a hardcore punk band named Copwatch. He began experimenting with Hip Hop music while he was still with the band. He eventually decided to release music in the genre. Cities Aviv’s debut mixtape “Digital Lows” was released in 2011. The mixtape was well-received by his fans and gained him recognition. It also received positive reviews from top publications such as Spin and Pitchfork.

A year later, he followed up with a second Hip Hop mixtape titled “Black Pleasure.” The mixtape was released via streetwear company Mishka NYC’s record label. He later signed to Young One Records. After releasing the single “URL IRL” in 2013, he released his debut album “Come To Life” via Young One Records in 2014. “Raised For A Better View” was released four years later, in 2018.

Style And Influence

Cities Aviv’s production style has been described as “eclectic.” He is also famous for sampling various artists across different genres in his music. Cities Aviv’s musical style is inspired by Three 6 Mafia, Black Moon, Big Pun, Non Phixion. He is also inspired by Soul musicians, and Rock music acts, including Deftones and Joy Division. Cities Aviv’s style of rap and flow has been compared to those of RZA and MC Ride of Death Grips. Cities Aviv’s musical style has drawn inspiration from different artists, bands, and genres, unlike most rappers.