Novel (n): a narrative of considerable length and complexity, portraying characters and dealing especially with human experience through a connected sequence of events
Novel (adj): Strikingly new, unusual, or different, especially in conception or style; original and of a kind not seen before
It’s a fittingly double-edged moniker, for a man whose ‘pen game’The Audiobiography… is a study in creative duality: equal parts sung and rapped. A daring opening salvo, given urban music’s penchant for pigeonholing artists. Yet as Novel opens up, and his life’s path and inspirations come into focus, his music seems less contradictory, more complementary. A product of luminary musical lineage—grandson of Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Solomon Burke, son of former Motown VP Mickey Stevenson-- Novel is unequivocal about his own niche: "I consider it hip-hop." is much sharper than any sword. Indeed, Alonzo "Novel" Stevenson is a bit of a paradox. His forthcoming debut on Capitol Records, The Audiobiography… is a study in creative duality: equal parts sung and rapped. A daring opening salvo, given urban music’s penchant for pigeonholing artists. Yet as Novel opens up, and his life’s path and inspirations come into focus, his music seems less contradictory, more complementary. A product of luminary musical lineage—grandson of Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Solomon Burke, son of former Motown VP Mickey Stevenson-- Novel is unequivocal about his own niche: "I consider it hip-hop."
With Novel’s resolve-testing past and zealous subject matter, he knows to expect instinctive labeling as a conscious artist. Fittingly, he’s unbothered. "I’m comfortable because most conscious artists get caught up and boxed in this one particular area, and feel like they can’t do wrong, they can’t make any mistakes. We’re all human; I have my flaws, I make mistakes, so I try to keep it, ‘This is me, this is my life, this is who I am.’ I want to talk about social issues but also about women, having fun, enjoying life. I’m trying to bring it all together without being too contradictive-- but that’s what makes us human, a little contradiction. I think its better when you’re vulnerable, so I let the world know this is who I am. I don’t mind being called conscious."
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