Nav (mixtape)

Summary

Nav is the eponymous debut commercial mixtape by Canadian rapper and record producer Nav. It was released through XO and Republic Records on February 24, 2017.[8] The mixtape features a sole guest appearance from Canadian singer-songwriter and XO label boss the Weeknd, who appears on the lead single of the project, "Some Way". Nav handled most of the production himself, with some tracks featuring co-production from other record producers such as Metro Boomin, Rex Kudo, Frost, and DannyBoyStyles.[9] The mixtape received generally mixed to negative reviews from critics, with a 42% score on Metacritic.

Nav
Mixtape by
ReleasedFebruary 24, 2017
Length33:52
Label
Producer
Nav chronology
The Introduction
(2016)
Nav
(2017)
Perfect Timing
(2017)
Singles from Nav
  1. "Some Way"
    Released: February 16, 2017
  2. "Myself"
    Released: April 11, 2017[1]
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic45/100[2]
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[3]
Exclaim!5/10[4]
NOW Magazine[5]
RapReviews.com3.5/10[6]
Sputnikmusic[7]

Background edit

On February 16, 2017, Nav officially announced that he signed a deal to the Weeknd's record label XO and Republic Records. Prior to this, he made appearances in music videos for The Weeknd; as well as fellow XO signee Belly sparking rumors that he is also been signed to XO. Nav also announced that he would be releasing the mixtape on February 24, 2017.[9] Several tracks on the mixtape had already been released on Nav's SoundCloud account prior to the release, including "Myself" and "Up"; both of these songs garnered millions of plays on the platform.[10] On February 22, 2017, Nav revealed the mixtape's track listing on his Instagram account.[11]

Singles edit

The debut and lead single, called "Some Way" featuring Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd, was released as a digital download on February 25, 2017. The song gained traction due to the content of the Weeknd's lyrics, which were widely interpreted as being aimed at prepped Canadian singer-songwriter Justin Bieber, regarding their ongoing feud.[12]

"Myself" was originally posted to SoundCloud on January 12, 2016, but not to streaming services as a single.[13] It was serviced to rhythmic radio on April 11, 2017 as the second single.[1]

Though not released as singles, "Ten Toes Down (TTD)" and "Up" were previously released on SoundCloud in 2015 and 2016, respectively. A deleted 2014 track titled "She Know", while not included on the album, is heavily sampled on "Interlude".[14]

Track listing edit

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Myself"Navraj GorayaNav3:46
2."Nav"3:02
3."My Mind"GorayaNav2:41
4."Good for It"
  • Goraya
  • Sugar-Ray Henry
  • Nav
  • Frost
2:39
5."Lonely"
  • Goraya
  • Masamune Kudo
  • Nav
  • Rex Kudo
3:35
6."Up"3:20
7."Interlude"GorayaNav1:56
8."Sleep"GorayaNav3:06
9."Mariah"
  • Goraya
  • Kudo
  • Nav
  • Rex Kudo
2:42
10."Some Way" (featuring the Weeknd)Nav2:58
11."TTD"GorayaNav4:02
Total length:33:52

Notes

  • "Nav" is stylized in all caps like the rapper's name.

Charts edit

Certifications edit

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[21] Gold 40,000
United States (RIAA)[22] Gold 500,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Top 40 Rhythmic/Future Releases". All Access. Archived from the original on March 23, 2017. Retrieved March 23, 2017.
  2. ^ "Reviews and Tracks for NAV by NAV". Metacritic. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  3. ^ Kellman, Andy. "NAV - NAV". Allmusic. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  4. ^ Singh, Vijai Kumar. "NAV NAV". Exclaim!. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  5. ^ Ritchie, Kevin. "The Weeknd protégé NAV's self-titled debut is one-note". NOW Magazine. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  6. ^ Barilleaux, Michael G. "NAV :: NAV :: XO Records". RapReviews.com. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  7. ^ Edwards, Elliott S. "Review: Nav - NAV". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  8. ^ "Nav by Nav on Apple Music". Retrieved February 26, 2017 – via iTunes.
  9. ^ a b Simmons, Ted (February 16, 2017). "Nav Signs Deal With The Weeknd's XO Records". XXL. Retrieved February 26, 2017.
  10. ^ "Nav on SoundCloud". Retrieved February 26, 2017.
  11. ^ "Nav on Instagram". Archived from the original on 2021-12-25. Retrieved February 26, 2017.
  12. ^ Josephs, Brian (February 15, 2017). "The Weeknd Has Now Maybe Dissed Justin Bieber Over Selena Gomez". Spin. Retrieved February 26, 2017.
  13. ^ "Myself (Prod by @BeatsByNav) by NAV - Free Listening on SoundCloud". Retrieved March 23, 2017.
  14. ^ NAV – She Know, retrieved 2021-03-15
  15. ^ "NAV Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved March 7, 2017.
  16. ^ "NZ Heatseekers Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. March 6, 2017. Retrieved March 3, 2017.
  17. ^ "NAV Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved March 7, 2017.
  18. ^ "NAV Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  19. ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  20. ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  21. ^ "Canadian album certifications – NAV – NAV". Music Canada.
  22. ^ "American album certifications – NAV – NAV". Recording Industry Association of America.