They drop references to many expensive items
Navraj “NAV” Singh Goraya stands as a model of self-made success in contemporary music, blending Punjabi heritage with Toronto’s gritty urban landscape.
Born to Punjabi Sikh parents in Rexdale, Toronto, NAV’s path began as a producer, crafting beats for major names including Drake before stepping into the spotlight himself.
His 2016 breakout under The Weeknd’s XO imprint showcased a rare duality: NAV was both the voice and the architect of his sound.
Atmospheric synths, trap rhythms, and confessional lyrics about fame, isolation, and ambition became his trademarks.
With five studio albums, countless platinum certifications, and a global fanbase, NAV remains a crucial bridge between underground authenticity and mainstream dominance.
Here are 10 NAV tracks that make for essential listening.
Myself
NAV’s ‘Myself’ initially dropped on SoundCloud in 2016, announcing his arrival with minimalist elegance.
Self-produced, the track featured muted 808s, ethereal melodies, and deeply personal lyrics such as:
“It’s grimy in the 6, who can I trust?”
The track resonated with a generation grappling with loneliness and ambition.
Released as an official single in April 2017, ‘Myself’ earned triple platinum status in the United States.
The DIY music video, filmed in NAV’s gritty Rexdale neighbourhood, juxtaposed street realism with the aspirational symbols of luxury, capturing his ethos perfectly.
Some Way
‘Some Way’ featured The Weeknd and was NAV’s first official single, arriving in 2017 and catapulting him into the mainstream.
Over a sparse, haunting beat, both artists dissect toxic relationships.
Both artists also throw subliminal jabs at Justin Bieber.
The track debuted at number 31 on the Canadian Hot 100, achieved double platinum certification, and quickly became a fan favourite.
Directed by RJ Sanchez, the video’s voyeuristic, dimly lit visuals amplified the song’s themes of betrayal and heartbreak, pulling in over 79 million views.
Wanted You
NAV teams up with Lil Uzi Vert for ‘Wanted You’, a melodic, catchy song that is all about girls, money, and relationships ruined by cheating.
Producer Ben Billions’ mournful piano loop provided the perfect backdrop for NAV’s admission:
“Should’ve known that all these girls the same and they ain’t loyal.”
Uzi’s auto-tuned croon amplified the heartbreak.
The platinum-certified single climbed to number 64 on the Billboard Hot 100 and set the tone for NAV’s debut album Reckless, blending emo-rap with sharp, radio-ready hooks.
Tap
Released in 2019, ‘Tap’ found NAV linking up with Meek Mill for a street anthem that married opulence with loyalty.
London on da Track’s production layered rattling hi-hats over ominous bass, framing verses about betrayal and perseverance.
Meek’s commanding line, “In the trap, hang in places that you can’t go. Glock 40, he got smokey, yeah, the Draco”, set the tone.
The track peaked at number 87 on the Billboard Hot 100 and went double platinum, bolstered by a neon-lit video dripping with high-energy visuals.
Price on My Head
NAV reunited with The Weeknd for ‘Price on My Head’, which was a single on the artist’s second album Bad Habits.
The result was a paranoid, dark anthem about the dangerous side of fame.
Lines like “Night when I rest, with a knife by my bed” captured the song’s raw tension.
Kid. Studio’s apocalyptic visuals showed NAV fleeing from unseen threats through a crumbling Toronto.
While the single peaked modestly at number 72 on the Hot 100, it went platinum in Canada, highlighting the duo’s unmatched chemistry.
Know Me
‘Know Me’ dropped just before NAV’s 29th birthday in 2018 and it signalled a personal and artistic resurgence.
Over producer Pro Logic’s glitchy synths, NAV illustrates the desirable repercussions of having wealth and fame in the music industry.
Throughout the song, he drops references to expensive clothing and jewellery, while also rapping about the drugs he takes.
The music video, set in a graffiti-covered mansion with a python around his neck, cemented NAV’s evolution from outsider to insider, peaking at No. 63 on the Canadian Hot 100.
Turks
‘Turks’ is arguably NAV’s best-known track and was the lead single from Good Intentions.
The rapper joined forces with Gunna and Travis Scott for a thunderous, celebratory flex.
‘Turks’ discusses the transition from the trio being poor to eventually living a lavish lifestyle.
They drop references to many expensive items that they possess, including cars, drugs, jewellery, weaponry, and women.
Driven by Wheezy’s electrifying production, NAV boasted: “Every other watch got diamonds in the face”, showcasing material success.
Debuting at number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100, his highest solo entry to that point, ‘Turks’ went platinum and became a mainstay of summer playlists.
Never Sleep
‘Never Sleep‘, a Demons Protected by Angels standout, united NAV with Lil Baby and Travis Scott over Tay Keith’s shimmering, kinetic production.
NAV’s verses painted a picture of 24/7 hustle and opulence, while Travis Scott’s hypnotic, auto-tuned hook added a surreal quality.
Lil Baby’s slick verse carried themes of relentless ambition, reinforcing the song’s high-stakes atmosphere.
The Las Vegas-set video, blending casino heist visuals with psychedelic editing, amplified the song’s grandeur.
Commercially, ‘Never Sleep’ cracked the Billboard Hot 100 and has gone on to become one of NAV’s most-streamed tracks.
Calling
Released as part of the Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse soundtrack, ‘Calling’ merged NAV’s introspective energy with Swae Lee’s melodic touch and Metro Boomin’s lush orchestration.
NAV’s verse, “I know sometimes it be hard for me to tell the truth”, mirrored the film’s themes of sacrifice, tying directly into Miles Morales’ journey.
Critically praised for its emotional resonance, the track served as a standout moment on the soundtrack, blending hip-hop with cinematic storytelling.
The music video, fusing real-life studio shots with vibrant animation, bridged NAV’s music with a blockbuster universe, exposing him to new global audiences.
Recap
‘Recap’, a track from Good Intentions, showcased NAV’s understated brilliance as both producer and lyricist.
Together with Don Toliver, the pair melodically rap about catching up with a significant other they have not seen in a long time.
Though never released as a single, ‘Recap’ quietly accumulated over 58 million Spotify streams, becoming a fan favourite and proving NAV’s ability to craft lasting, non-chart-dependent anthems.
NAV’s career, built on a foundation of DIY spirit and fearless genre-bending, reflects hip-hop’s increasingly globalised landscape.
From the intimate vulnerability of ‘Myself’ to the cinematic ambition of ‘Calling’, his music captures the complexities of modern fame, identity, and perseverance.
As he continues evolving, with his 2025 album OMW2 Rexdale signalling another creative leap, NAV proves that authenticity, when paired with innovation, can transform not just a career, but an entire genre.
NAV remains more than a hitmaker; he is a cultural bridge and a sound architect for a new generation of global artists.
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