Let the Sun Talk
Let the Sun Talk is the debut studio album by the American rapper Mavi, released independently on October 18, 2019. A concept album inspiring social change, it features production by Earl Sweatshirt and Mike, under aliases.
Background and recording
Mavi released two mixtapes before Let the Sun Talk, Beacon in 2016 and No Roses in 2017. He was compared to Earl Sweatshirt and Mike and was co-signed with them.
Overview
The album is primarily an abstract hip-hop album, similar to work of artists like Mike, Pink Siifu, and Earl Sweatshirt. It is a concept album, inspired by What's Going On by Marvin Gaye, in which Mavi puts more emphasis on the meaning of the lyrics rather than the show and display of them. He was inspired heavily by the writing of Toni Morrison. Many of the lyrics inspire social change. The album's title references the beliefs of the Five-Percent Nation and Rastafari.
Critical reception
Sheldon Pearce of Pitchfork rated the album a 7.8/10, highlighting the messages of the album but also noting that it lacks clarity and directness at times.