With 12.3 million monthly listeners on Spotify, NAV is widely regarded as a musical genius whose influence transcends borders, resulting in multiple platinum accolades, Grammy nominations, and consecutive top albums. However, when I engage with him, I find a modest individual whose dedication to his craft becomes increasingly evident throughout our discussion. If you browse through NAV’s comment section, you’ll likely see fans requesting music that echoes his remarkable rise to fame. Given that he emerged during a time when SoundCloud played a pivotal role, this nostalgia is understandable for music enthusiasts yearning for an era when instant, disposable music was less common. As a representative of the Asian community, the Canadian-born artist, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and songwriter recently released his new album, ‘OMW2 Rexdale,’ a tribute to his self-titled debut mixtape that changed his life. Beginning as a curious boy in his bedroom learning to produce beats, NAV made his first million by the age of 27, and a decade later, he has become an international sensation. It has been three years since his previous album, ‘Demons Protected By Angels,’ during which he meticulously worked on ‘OMW2 Rexdale.’ After recording three hundred songs, this fourteen-track project showcases his growth both musically and personally. Adhering to his signature style of synth-laden beats, honest lyrics, and captivating melodies, ‘OMW2 Rexdale’ features collaborations with fellow hitmakers Playboi Carti, Don Toliver, and Metro Boomin. In an effort to inspire a new generation of artists and producers, NAV had a conversation with CLASH via Zoom, delving into various topics about music—read on to discover what he shared.
—
—
I’d like to start at the beginning. Often, the journey of an artist of your caliber gets overlooked—what was your experience like growing up in Rexdale?
Rexdale was very multicultural while I was growing up. In junior school, there were many white kids, but by middle school, it became very diverse. I was exposed to a range of music genres: rock, hip-hop, and Indian music. The kids at school often mixed the instrumental of one song with the vocals of another—for instance, an Indian track over a hip-hop beat. I began doing similar things when I was 15, thinking I was quite good at it, but I got curious about how to actually create the beats we were remixing. That’s how I started exploring beat-making, and one thing led to another, and here we are!
When did you begin writing lyrics?
In 2012, I started writing lyrics for others to use with my beats, whether they were local or otherwise. I grew tired of waiting for other artists to rap over them or purchase them, so in 2015, I decided to write my own music, thinking, why not just put something out? I’m probably better than them, after all! [laughs]
I understand that a conversation with Future inspired the title ‘OMW2 Rexdale’ in connection to your earlier projects. Was the plan always to reflect on your past with this album?
Absolutely! Initially, I wanted to title it as a ‘NAV 2’ project, but Future made a great point… ‘NAV 2’ sounds final, like an ending! He suggested calling it ‘On My Way to Rexdale’ as it implies a journey, and then we added the number 2 to the title, which gives off a ‘NAV 2’ vibe without being official—you know what I mean?
It’s been a few years since your last album, and you approach ‘OMW2 Rexdale’ with a fresh perspective. During that gap, what insights did you gain that you’ve applied to this project?
In my personal life, I learned that some relationships can be quite draining, often without realizing it. This applies to friendships and romantic relationships. Musically, I took up piano lessons—even though I started late, which is challenging, but I did it! Between the last album, ‘Demons Protected By Angels,’ and now, I've focused much more on production. I didn’t contribute much to the production of the last album at all, so this time, I made sure to be deeply involved!
—
—
What was your creative process like? Returning to your old bedroom where you began—are you the kind of artist who prefers consistency and collaboration with familiar faces, or do you find inspiration in traveling and working with new artists and producers?
At first, I was crafting a lot of songs at my mom’s house, and my creativity was thriving! However, as the quality of music and production improved, my environment had to evolve as well. I used to work in one location, but now I’ll spend a week in one place and then another two weeks somewhere else, setting up the studio in various locations.
Are you typically in sessions with a lot of people?
Danish artist GB has announced his intentions for a new double EP. The Copenhagen-born creator now divides his time between Denmark and London, drawing from various influences.
John Swinney, the First Minister of Scotland, has urged the TRNSMT festival in Glasgow to remove Kneecap from its lineup. The rap trio from Belfast has been creating
When Blur came together again in 2008 for headlining shows at Glastonbury and Hyde Park the next summer, it felt like a glorious comeback. Then,
Key UK rapper SL has released his latest single, "Paranoia." The artist made waves at the age of 15 with his breakout debut "Gentleman," which established him in the music scene.
Jensen McRae has released her new album 'I Don’t Know How But They Found Me!' in its entirety. Available now through Dead Oceans, the album showcases Jensen exploring profound themes,
Nilüfer Yanya is back with her latest single 'Cold Heart'. The London-based artist released her remarkable album 'My Method Actor' last year, and it appeared
With 12.3 million monthly listeners on Spotify, NAV is an undeniable musical genius whose skills have transcended international boundaries, bringing him