North Carolina rapper MAVI has lately been touring with people like Earl Sweatshirt and Freddie Gibbs, and he’s collaborated with tons of people across the underground rap landscape. In the past few months, MAVI has released singles like “Landgrab” with Earl Sweatshirt and “Potluck,” with Smino. Now, those collaborations and more find a home on MAVI’s new album-length project The Pilot.
According to a press release, the title of The Pilot refers to a TV show’s first episode, not the person who flies the plane. The Pilot follows the 2024 EP Shadowbox, and MAVI announced it last week. It’s coming out just as MAVI celebrates a year of sobriety, and he sounds really energetic and locked-in on this one. He’s not really doing the thing where he mutters behind the beat anymore. He really gets after it on this one, and he does it without losing his loose expansiveness. I’m just on my second listen now, but I’m already impressed.
In addition to “Landgrab” and “Potluck.,” The Pilot also has collaborations with MIKE and Kenny Mason. It’s just 10 songs in 24 minutes, and it’s worth your time. Listen below.
The Pilot is out now on Loma Vista.
