Digital Lows

Last updated
Digital Lows
Cities Aviv - Digital Lows.jpg
Mixtape by
ReleasedMay 2, 2011 (2011-05-02)
Genre Alternative hip hop, cloud rap, experimental hip hop, chillwave [1]
Label Fat Sandwich
Producer Muted Drone, RPLD GHOSTS, Danny Dee, Upgrayde, Royal'T, Blackbird Blackbird
Cities Aviv chronology
Digital Lows
(2011)
Black Pleasure
(2012)

Digital Lows is the debut mixtape by American rapper, Cities Aviv. [2] It was released on May 2, 2011, through Fat Sandwich Records. Produced by various artists including Muted Drone, RPLD GHOSTS and Danny Dee, the mixtape earned attention and critical acclaim from various music publications. [3] [4]

Contents

Musical style and production

The beats on the mixtape, which feature chillwave elements, [1] were described as "imaginative but still traditionalist." [4] The track "Black Box" samples Gil Scott-Heron's "Winter in America." The track "Die Young" features a looped sample of Depeche Mode's "People Are People," creating a hybrid style akin to "Rammellzee's avant-rap and Southern fight-rap." [4] The tracks "A Beautiful Hell", "Doom x Gloom", and "sixsixsixes" are influenced by hip hop group Three 6 Mafia. The track "Meet Me on Montrose (For Ex-Lovers Only)" is based on a sample of Alessi Brothers' "Oh Lori" while the track uses a sample from electronic music act Blackbird Blackbird's cover of a Modest Mouse song, "Float On." [4]

While his flow was compared to those of RZA, the album's soul music leanings and storytelling were compared to the works of underground hip hop groups such as The Nonce and Natural Elements. [1]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Pitchfork (7.5/10) [4]

The mixtape generally received positive reviews. Pitchfork reviewer Brandon Soderberg stated: "Balance is important here, and the darkest moments of Digital Lows soon enough let up to highlight Cities Aviv's most winning quality: his mordant humanity." He also further stated: "Even the usual hip-hop clichés are afforded specificity thanks to his expressive wit and precise determination not to use words in the same exact way as every other rapper." [4] Jon Caramanica of The New York Times described the album as "lullingly pretty." [1]

Accolades

PublicationAccoladeRankRef.
Spin 40 Best Rap Albums of 2011
17
[5]
Time Out Top 15 Hip-Hop Mixtapes of 2011
8
[6]

Track listing

All lyrics are written by Gavin Mays

No.TitleProducer(s)Length
1."Digital Lovvs (Intro)"Muted Drone1:00
2."Black Box" (ft. Fille Catatonique)RPLD GHOSTS4:00
3."Die Young"Muted Drone2:12
4."Tongue Kisser"Muted Drone1:40
5."Fuckeverybodyhere"RPLD GHOSTS3:58
6."Jaguar"Danny Dee3:12
7."A Beautiful Hell feat. Fille Catatonique"Danny Dee2:40
8."Doom x Gloom"Royal'T3:10
9."Meet Me On Montrose (For Ex-Lovers Only)"Danny Dee3:27
10."sixsixsixes"RPLD GHOSTS2:11
11."Voyeurs"Danny Dee, Upgrayde3:40
12."Float On"Blackbird Blackbird3:43

Personnel

Producers
Other personnel

Related Research Articles

<i>Donuts</i> (album) 2006 studio album by J Dilla

Donuts is the second studio album by the American hip hop producer J Dilla, released on February 7, 2006, by Stones Throw Records. It was released on the day of his 32nd birthday, three days before his death.

<i>Acid Rap</i> 2013 mixtape by Chance the Rapper

Acid Rap is the second mixtape by American rapper Chance the Rapper. It was released on April 30, 2013, as a free digital download. In July 2013, the album debuted at number 63 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, due to bootleg downloads on iTunes and Amazon not affiliated with the artist. The mixtape has been certified "diamond" on mixtape site Datpiff, for garnering over 1,000,000 downloads. It was rereleased on streaming services on June 21, 2019, alongside his 2012 mixtape 10 Day. A 10th anniversary Complete Edition was later released, including the full version of "Juice", which previously wasn't available for streaming due to sampling issues.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antwon</span> American rapper (born 1986)

Antonio Williams, better known by his stage name Antwon, is an American rapper based in San Jose, California. In 2013, he was included on Complex's "15 Unsigned Rappers Who Should Get a Deal After SXSW" list. He was also included on Complex's "25 New Rappers to Watch Out For in 2014" list.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lil B</span> American rapper from California (born 1989)

Brandon Christopher McCartney, professionally known as Lil B and as his alter ego The BasedGod, is an American rapper. Lil B has recorded both solo and with Bay Area group The Pack. His solo work spans several genres, including hip hop, new age, jazz, indie rock and choral music. He describes his work as "based", a term which denotes a lifestyle of positivity and tolerance; and is noted for his extensive use of social media to build an online cult following.

<i>Black and Brown!</i> 2011 EP by Black Milk and Danny Brown

Black and Brown! is a collaborative EP by Detroit-based rappers Black Milk and Danny Brown. It was released on November 1, 2011 through Fat Beats Records. The EP is entirely produced by Black Milk.

<i>Instrumentals</i> (mixtape) 2011 mixtape by Clams Casino

Instrumentals is the debut mixtape of American record producer Clams Casino. It was self-released as a free digital download on March 7, 2011. It features instrumentals of tracks that he produced for various rappers, including some bonus songs. In July 2011, Instrumentals was reissued by Type Records as a physical release.

<i>1999</i> (mixtape) 2012 mixtape by Joey Badass

1999 is the debut mixtape by American rapper Joey Badass. It was released on June 12, 2012. It features production by Chuck Strangers, Lewis Parker, Lord Finesse, MF DOOM and J Dilla, among others. The mixtape also features guest appearances from members of Pro Era, a hip hop collective of which Joey Badass is a member. The mixtape is based heavily around musical samples. Music videos have been released for "Hardknock", "Survival Tactics", "FromdaTomb$" and "Waves".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iamsu!</span> American rapper and record producer

Sudan Ameer Williams, better known by his stage name Iamsu!, is an American rapper and record producer. He is also a part of the production team The Invasion and lead member of the hip hop group the HBK Gang. Iamsu! has released numerous mixtapes in his career including Suzy 6 Speed, Million Dollar Afro, and the Kilt series. He is also known for featuring on LoveRance's "Up!", E-40's "Function", and Sage the Gemini's "Gas Pedal". His debut album Sincerely Yours was released in 2014.

<i>Cosmic Angel: The Illuminati Prince/ss</i> 2012 mixtape by Mykki Blanco

Cosmic Angel: The Illuminati Prince/ss is a mixtape by American recording artist Mykki Blanco, released on November 9, 2012.

<i>Sincerely Yours</i> (Iamsu! album) 2014 studio album by Iamsu!

Sincerely Yours is the debut studio album by American rapper Iamsu!. The album was released on May 13, 2014, by HBK Gang and Warner Music Group's Alternative Distribution Alliance. Recording for the album took place during 2013 and 2014. The album's production was handled by Iamsu!, other members of The Invasion, Tha Bizness, Jake One, Trackademicks and Chase N. Cashe, among others. Iamsu! collaborated with various artists on the album including 2 Chainz, Wiz Khalifa, Too Short, E-40, Berner, Dizzy Wright, along with HBK Gang members Sage the Gemini, Kool John and Skipper. The album was supported by the singles, "Only That Real" featuring 2 Chainz and Sage the Gemini and "I Love My Squad".

<i>Y.R.N. (Young Rich Niggas)</i> 2013 mixtape by Migos

Y.R.N. is the third mixtape by American hip hop group Migos. It was released on June 13, 2013. The album features notable guest appearances from rappers Gucci Mane, Trinidad James, Riff Raff and Soulja Boy. This mixtape is notable for the single "Versace", the single reached number 99 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 31 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, number 23 on the US Hot Rap Songs chart and number 11 on the US Top Heatseekers chart. "Versace" was placed in multiple year-end lists of 2013. Diplo included it in his 2013 round-up set on BBC Radio 1. XXL named it one of the top five hip hop songs of 2013. The official music video, directed by Gabriel Hart, was released on September 30, 2013. It shows Migos and Zaytoven at a luxurious mansion, wearing Versace clothes and accessories. The video also features a snippet of Migos second single off the mixtape "Hannah Montana". As of April 2021, it has gained over 36 million views on YouTube. Y.R.N. later reached number 74 on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, their first mixtape to do so on the Billboard charts. The mixtape was premiered on LiveMixtapes.com, on 06/13/2013 and has over 7 million views and 500,000 downloads. Offset only appears on some of the tracks, he was incarcerated in 2013 when Y.R.N. came out.

Wilbert Gavin Mays, better known by his stage name Cities Aviv, is an American rapper and record producer from Memphis, Tennessee.

Hugh Anthony Allison, better known by his stage name Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire, is an American rapper. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he debuted with the release of his first mixtape, The Big Fat Kill, in 2008. Allison would follow-up with what is considered to be his breakout project, the mixtape Lost in Translation, released by Mishka NYC in 2011. He signed his first major-label record deal with Universal Republic Records, in 2012, which he subsequently left. In 2017, with the release of Allison's fourth EP Brainiac, he launched Chocolate Rabbit, his own record label imprint. His self-titled debut studio album was independently released in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rome Fortune</span> American rapper from Georgia

Jerome Raheem "Rome" Fortune is an American rapper. who rose to prominence after the release of his Beautiful Pimp mixtape in 2013. Influenced by a diverse range of musical traditions, Fortune has released 6 EPs and has collaborated with a number of artists from the Atlanta hip hop scene, including OG Maco, Dun Deal, and ILoveMakonnen.

<i>Heavy Hearted in Doldrums</i> 2014 studio album by Antwon

Heavy Hearted in Doldrums is the debut studio album by American rapper Antwon. It was released on May 6, 2014. It features guest appearances from Lil Ugly Mane, Sad Andy, Wiki, Heems, Lakutis, and Andre Martel. Music videos were created for "Don't Care" and "Metro Nome".

<i>Purple Reign</i> 2016 mixtape by Future

Purple Reign is the sixteenth mixtape by American rapper Future, hosted and executive-produced by DJ Esco and Metro Boomin. It was released on January 17, 2016 with an 11-hour notice via LiveMixtapes and DatPiff. It is Future's first non-commercial mixtape since the mixtape trilogy Monster (2014), Beast Mode and 56 Nights (2015). Purple Reign follows the commercial collaborative mixtape What a Time to Be Alive with Canadian rapper Drake. The mixtape features production from frequent collaborators Metro Boomin, Southside, Zaytoven, DJ Spinz, and Nard & B, among others. The title and cover font is a tribute to Prince's landmark 1984 album Purple Rain, which is stylized in the same fashion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Millions</span> American rapper

Michael Bass, better known as his stage name Michael Millions, is an American rapper and songwriter from Richmond, Virginia. He is the co-founder of Purple Republic Music Group and has collaborated with fellow Richmond natives Nickelus F and Skillz.

<i>Blackland Radio 66.6</i> 2011 mixtape by SpaceGhostPurrp

Blackland Radio 66.6 is a mixtape by American rapper SpaceGhostPurrp. It was self-released on May 1, 2011, and re-released in February 2017, by Yeah We On Entertainment. The majority of the mixtape is self-produced, and features guest production and vocals from Lil Ugly Mane, Main Attrakionz, Supa Sortahuman, and J.K. the Reaper. The artwork was created by Lil Ugly Mane and Chino Amobi.

<i>Inhale C-4 $$$$$</i> 2011 mixtape by BEBETUNE$

Inhale C-4 $$$$$ is a mixtape by American electronic musician James Ferraro under the alias BEBETUNE$, released for free on December 14, 2011. Parodying the tropes of contemporary American hip hop music and its culture, it marks the first time in Ferraro's career that he approached such a style. Reviews of the mixtape were mostly positive, and it appeared in the top 20 of Tiny Mix Tapes' list of the best releases of 2012.

<i>Fever</i> (mixtape) 2019 mixtape by Megan Thee Stallion

Fever is the third and debut commercial mixtape by American rapper Megan Thee Stallion, released on May 17, 2019, via 300 Entertainment and 1501 Certified. Primarily produced by LilJuMadeDaBeat and written by the rapper herself, it also features guest appearances from rappers DaBaby and Juicy J. Fever is a hip hop record driven by minimal bass-heavy trap production. It is widely considered by music critics as Megan Thee Stallion's mainstream breakthrough.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Hip-Hop Universe, Expanding". The New York Times . December 9, 2011. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
  2. Friedlander, Emilie (January 28, 2014). "FADER Mix: Cities Aviv". The Fader . Retrieved 21 June 2014.
  3. Billings, Lane (June 13, 2012). "12 Tennessee Bands You Should Listen to Now". Paste . Retrieved June 21, 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Soderberg, Brandon (June 23, 2011). "Cities Aviv - Digital Lows". Pitchfork . Retrieved June 21, 2014.
  5. "Spin's 40 Best Rap Albums of 2011". Spin . December 8, 2011. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
  6. "The top 15 hip-hop mixtapes of 2011". Time Out . December 18, 2011. Retrieved February 13, 2018.