Fresh off the release of “Turks” featuring Gunna and Travis Scott, Nav is cooking things up once again! Not only can you hear him shining on Lil Uzi Vert’s recent “Legends” track, but he’s also bringing the same vibe he had a few years back.
Nav was born Navraj Goraya on November 3rd, 1989 in Toronto, Canada. He was raised in Rexdale and first began to get into music when his mother got him a boombox in third grade. As his love for music grew, he became more involved in the scene. His uncle, a well known Punjabi singer, began taking Nav to the studio at a young age, keeping his spark for music well lit. Nav began to dip his toe into music while he was in high school, creating mash-ups and producing beats for artists in his area. This led to a devoted fan base of listeners that just could not get enough of Goraya (at the time, he went by BeatsByNav on SoundCloud).
In 2015, Nav helped produce Drake’s “Back To Back” track (a direct shot at Meek Mill). Soon after, Nav’s “Take Me Simple” song amassed a massive amount of success on SoundCloud, further propelling him towards the top! He got his first real break in September 2016, when he was featured on Travis Scott’s Birds In The Trap Sing McKnight. The two teamed up on “Beibs in the Trap,” which quickly became one of the hottest tracks in the trap scene. Five months later, Nav signed to XO and Republic Records, releasing NAV (his debut project). The project included “Some Way” featuring The Weeknd, garnering the Toronto rapper even more success in the music industry.
Following the release of his self-titled debut mixtape, Nav released a collab project, Perfect Timing, with Metro Boomin in July of the same year (showcasing features from Playboi Carti, Lil Uzi Vert, and Offset among others). In May 2018, he released Reckless, featuring Gunna, Travis Scott, and more. He then dropped a follow-up album, Bad Habits, in March 2019 (also featuring a multitude of artists, including Meek Mill, Future, and Lil Durk). Since then, he’s kept his name in the conversation by making appearances on various singles, and his feature on Lil Uzi Vert’s long-awaited Eternal Atake. His latest single, “Turks,” features Travis Scott and Gunna, who work as backups that allow Nav to shine.
Nav’s sound is definitely unique. He blends the nasally Toronto inflection with various elements that primarily stem from trap, including kicks, 808s, etc. Nav also translates his lowkey personality into his music, opting for low synths and psychedelic sounds (this is especially prevalent on his debut mixtape). Some of his most popular songs have this formula written all over it, including “Myself,” “TTD,” and “A$AP Ferg” featuring Lil Uzi Vert. Just like his personality, Nav’s music takes on a lowkey approach. He keeps everything relaxed while incorporating key trap elements that keep things exciting.
What is your favorite Nav track? Are you a fan of the Toronto rapper? Do you think he’s one of the hottest rappers out? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section. If you want more music and streetwear content in your life, make sure to check our Instagram @audiblwav and YouTube channel. On our Instagram, we keep your feed fresh with daily song suggestions, concert videos, sneaker shots and more! We also provide you with weekly video content on our YouTube channel. Don’t miss out, tap the links above!