Big Havi – “Blood N My Eyes” (dir. by Qasquiat)

The Atlanta Rapper Reflects on His Upbringing Amidst Footage of Passionate Protests in the First Video from No Pen No Pad Just Pain EP

Specializing in melodic and cathartic Southern music, Big Havi‘s songs dig deep into his trauma. Drawing a parallel between his internal pain and this country’s current racial reckoning, Havi shares “Blood N My Eyes,” his new video. Warbling atop a ringing, reverbed guitar, Havi is an open wound, expressing the pain that he feels inside every day: “I know I lie/I told you I’m fine/But to be honest, a n**** hurtin’ inside.” In the video, directed by Qasquiat (Lil Uzi Vert, Roddy Ricch) and premiered by HotNewHipHop, Havi retreats in a remote Atlanta neighborhood, his emotional performance intercut with striking images of Atlanta’s Black Lives Matter protest. “Blood N My Eyes” is a highlight track from No Pen No Pad Just Pain, Havi’s recent EP.

His second EP of 2020, No Pen No Pad Just Pain finds the 20-year-old rapper pouring his heart out. Over the EP’s 8 tracks, Havi works through his thoughts and feelings about his rough upbringing, processing his PTSD and expressing his urgent desire to succeed. Haunted by memories of his traumatic past, Havi displays a wisdom well beyond his years, working through his issues with raw lyricism. He remembers when his mother struggled to pay bills on “Testimony” and muses on the isolation of struggling alone on “Scars N Scratches.”

In February, Havi shared Personal Problems, an expressive project boasting the urban radio hit “9 Times Out Of 10.” With over 27 million total streams, more than 8 million YouTube views, and a feature from Lil Baby, “9 Times Out Of 10” reached #34 on the nationwide urban radio airplay chart. Earlier this year, Big Havi turned heads as a supporting act on tour with Lil TJay, performing songs from his Personal Problems EP. Earlier this summer, Havi shared the video for “Personal Problems,” a project highlight with an appearance from Havi’s Commission Records labelmate Derez De’Shon (546k views).

With No Pen No Pad Just Pain EP and beyond, Havi looks to continue his success, with an eye on becoming the next ATL rapper to hit it big. Stay tuned for more music from Big Havi in the coming months.

Buy/Stream No Pen No Pad Just Pain: https://cmsn.ffm.to/npnpjp