Nav

Nav – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Nav (Navraj Singh Goraya), born November 3, 1989, is a Canadian rapper, singer, and producer. From his early Toronto days to chart-topping albums under XO, explore his journey, style, and most memorable quotes.

Introduction

Nav (stylized as NAV) is a Canadian rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer who has gained prominence in the trap / cloud-rap scene for his moody vocals, melodic flows, and production skills. Born November 3, 1989, in Toronto, he began his career behind the boards before stepping forward as a solo artist. His albums Bad Habits and Good Intentions both debuted at No. 1 on the US Billboard 200, solidifying his place in mainstream hip hop.

Beyond charts, Nav’s story is one of resilience, identity, creative duality (artist + producer), and navigating criticisms while evolving artistically.

Early Life and Background

Nav was born Navraj Singh Goraya in Toronto, Ontario, to a Punjabi Sikh immigrant family. Rexdale neighborhood of Toronto.

His mother worked in computer manufacturing, and his father operated a forklift.

While in high school, Nav began creating mashups and producing beats for underground artists in Toronto. Sony’s ACID Pro software early on to produce his tracks.

Nav attended Thistletown Collegiate Institute for high school, though he reportedly needed an additional year to finish. Metalworks Institute in Mississauga, graduating in 2010.

Before fully committing to music, he briefly worked as an apprentice electrician.

These formative years grounded him in both technical skill and artistic aspiration—a dual foundation that would shape his career direction.

Career and Breakthroughs

Producer to Artist

Nav started in the music industry primarily as a producer. His first major production credit was co-producing Drake’s “Back to Back” in 2015.

In late 2015, he released early singles such as “Take Me Simple” and “Ten Toes Down (TTD)” on SoundCloud and YouTube, which gained attention and internet traction. OVO Sound Radio (Drake’s platform) circa 2016.

In February 2017, Nav officially signed with XO / Republic Records (the Weeknd’s label). NAV and a collaborative project Perfect Timing with the producer Metro Boomin.

Studio Albums & Hit Projects

• Reckless (2018) – his debut studio album.

• Bad Habits (2019) – his first album to debut at No. 1 on the US Billboard 200.

• Good Intentions (2020) – also debuted at No. 1. The lead single “Turks”, a collaboration with Gunna and Travis Scott, reached No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100.

• Later releases include Emergency Tsunami (2020, mixtape) and Demons Protected by Angels (2022).

• His upcoming / recent album is OMW2 Rexdale, first teased in 2024–2025.

Over his career, he’s collaborated with high-profile artists like The Weeknd, Lil Uzi Vert, Gunna, Travis Scott, Don Toliver, and more.

Nav has also remained deeply involved in production on his own projects, often handling or co-handling beats and mixing.

Recent Focus & Evolution

In a 2025 interview, Nav expressed a more mature outlook: fewer parties, more focus on creative and personal roots. OMW2 Rexdale as a kind of homecoming—both physically and creatively—but insists it is not a return to old patterns.

Critics and fans recognize that his route has not been without pushback—some early reviews were harsh—but Nav’s persistence and gradual refining of sound have built lasting momentum.

Style, Themes & Influence

Nav’s music often blends melodic trap with introspective lyrics—touching on success, fame, mental tension, alienation, identity, and resilience. His voice is distinctive: somewhat high-pitched, auto-tuned, and emotive.

A recurring theme is identity and representation. Being a South Asian (Punjabi Sikh) artist in mainstream rap, Nav has spoken about both the challenges and responsibilities that come with representing his community.

He also emphasizes humility, work ethic, and constant evolution. In interviews he often remarks on the pressure of expectation, the importance of staying grounded, and viewing criticism as fuel rather than defeat.

His dual identity as artist + producer gives him flexibility and control over sound, enabling him to experiment inside his own projects rather than rely fully on outside beats.

Nav continues to be influential in expanding the presence of Asian / South Asian identities in global hip hop, showing that sonic and cultural hybridity can find audience in rap’s mainstream.

Famous Quotes

Here are a few representative quotes from Nav that reflect his mindset, struggles, and philosophy:

“It’s cool to be an Indian rapper, but it’s a challenge and a responsibility, too, because you have to represent everything the right way.”

“There’s a lot of pressure on my shoulders people don’t really think about or appreciate.”

From Lunch With Nav (Pitchfork):
“In the beginning it bothered me … but lately it doesn’t. Nobody is gonna say that to my face … they don’t matter.”

Also: “Fame is something I want … it’s a good problem to have.”

On newer direction (2025): Nav said he is “doing less partying and focusing on his new album … reaching the people with his signature sound.”

These quotes reveal his balancing act between ambition, identity, pressure, and authenticity.

Lessons from Nav

1. Craft your dual musical identity. Nav’s progression from producer to artist shows the power of mastering both sides of creation (beat and voice).

2. Representation comes with weight. Heading into spaces where you’re underrepresented (culturally or racially) brings opportunities and responsibilities.

3. Persistence through critique. Early reviews were not always kind, but evolving while staying true to one’s voice can lead to growth.

4. Embrace criticism as feedback. Nav treats negative reception as a signal to refine, rather than quit.

5. Evolve without forgetting roots. His upcoming album leans into personal geography (Rexdale) while still pushing forward in style and sound.

Conclusion

Nav’s journey from Toronto producer to global rap figure shows the power of marrying technical skill, self-awareness, and cultural identity. He is not just a voice in hip hop but a symbol of modern hybridity—charting territory as a South Asian in rap, maintaining control over his sound, and evolving with stability.