Novel (musician)

American rapper (born 1981)

Novel

Birth name| Alonzo Mario Stevenson
Born| Los Angeles, California
Genres| Hip hop
Occupation(s)| Rapper, producer, singer, songwriter
Years active| 2000–present
Labels| Rowdy, Capitol, Rawkus

Musical artist

Alonzo Mario Stevenson (born September 3, 1981), known by his stage name Novel, is an American hip-hop/soul artist based in Los Angeles, California. He is the son of William Stevenson and the grandson of soul pioneer Solomon Burke.

Novel has collaborated with artists such as Lauryn Hill and Talib Kweli, and worked with other musicians including Royce Da 5'9', Joss Stone, David Guetta, India.Arie, Tweet, Stacie Orrico and Smokey Robinson, among others. He has received over five Grammy nominations and one win.[citation needed]

## Biography

[edit]

Alonzo Mario Stevenson was born in Los Angeles, California, son of singer William Stevenson, Melanie Burke, a background singer for Chaka Khan. Stevenson, also the grandson of soul music pioneer Solomon Burke, grew up with his mother in Atlanta, Philadelphia, and North Carolina, sometimes staying in shelters because they had no money. A friend of Stevenson's in Philadelphia nicknamed him “Novel“ because he always carried a notebook. After running away from home at age 14, Novel returned to California where his father set up a recording studio for him.[1][2] He released a single, “Peach“, on Rawkus Records in 2003. The video for the song features Smokey Robinson, a longtime family friend and Novel's godfather.[3][4] Vibe called the song's melody “infectious“ and Novel's vocals “seductive“, but Novel almost didn't release the single because he “felt it was bubble gum“.[3] His debut album The Word was set to be released in 2003 but was ultimately cancelled when Rawkus split from MCA Records, which folded that year.[1][2]

Novel spent the next several years writing and producing for other artists, including Alicia Keys, Beyoncé Knowles, India.Arie, Joss Stone, Kelis, and Leona Lewis.[5][6] He signed to Dallas Austin's Rowdy Records in 2007 and released an EP, I Am... (Future Black President), the following year.[1] The single “I Am“, featuring Talib Kweli and Spree Wilson, contains a sample of the 2001 Ben Folds song “The Luckiest“.[2] Folds also provides pianos and vocals on the track.[6] Novel's debut full-length album, The Audiobiography, was announced in early 2009.[1][2] Spin wrote that Novel's “innate talents ooze“ on the album and that it contains a “series of slinky funk jams“, but it also “sounds a little too well-oiled at times“.[7] Novel wrote and featured on the David Guetta song, “Missing You", from Guetta's 2009 album One Love. The song peaked at number 85 on the French singles chart.[8] Novel and rapper Joell Ortiz released a collaborative album, Defying the Predictable, in 2010.[9]

## Discography

[edit]

### Albums and EPs

[edit]

* He Can't (2002, EP, with Kool G Rap)
* I Am (Future Black President)
* The EP (2008, Rowdy/Capitol)
* Calligraphy (TBA/2012, Lost Poets Music)[10][11]
* Under Water
* Overwhelmed (2012)
* Black In America (2016)
* Unreligious (2016)
* Goodbye August (2016)
* Dedication (2017)
* Introverted Dreamer (2018)
* Somewhere off in the quiet corner (2019)
* The Quarantine Files (2020)
* The Joys of Misery (2021)
* Libations (2022)
* Alone for the Holidays (2022)

### Mixtapes

[edit]

* Chapter One (2008)
* 808's and Mixtapes (2009)
* Suspended Animation (2009)
* Defying the Predictable (with Joell Ortiz) (2010)
* Legato Blues Summer (2010)
* Grant Me Serenity (2011)
* Red Wine & Ambien (2012)
* Red Wine & Ambien II (2014)

### Production and writing

[edit]

Title  | Artist  | Label  | Year  | Contribution

|
|
|
|

Stand to the Side feat. Novel  | Talib Kweli | MCA  | 2002  | writer/& Feature
Peach Remix feat. G Unit, LLoyd Banks  | Novel  | Rawkus  | 2002  | writer/producer
Purify Me  | India.Arie | Motown  | 2005  | writer
Bossy | Kelis | LaFace/Zomba  | 2005  | writer
Sick & Tired  | Monica | Motown  | 2005  | writer/ co-producer
Roll with Me  | Sammie | Rowdy/Universal  | 2006  | producer/writer
Slow  | Sammie  | Rowdy/Universal  | 2006  | producer/writer
Addiction  | Stacie Orrico | EMI/Virgin  | 2006  | Producer/Writer
Frustrated  | Stacie Orrico  | EMI/Virgin  | 2006  | Producer/Writer
Baby Girl  | Stacie Orrico  | EMI/Virgin  | 2006  | Producer/Writer
Brush Em Off feat. Novel  | Stacie Orrico  | EMI/Virgin  | 2006  | Producer/Writer
Dream You  | Stacie Orrico  | EMI/Virgin  | 2006  | Producer/Writer
Easy to Love You  | Stacie Orrico  | EMI/Virgin  | 2006  | Producer/Writer
Wait  | Stacie Orrico  | EMI/Virgin  | 2006  | Producer/Writer
Tell You Something  | Alicia Keys | J Records  | 2007  | Writer
What We're Gonna Do  | Joss Stone | Emi/Virgin  | 2007  | Writer/ Co-Producer
Music feat. Lauryn Hill  | Joss Stone & Lauryn Hill | Emi/Virgin  | 2007  | Writer/Co-Producer
Whatever It Takes  | Leona Lewis | SONYBMG UK  | 2007  | Producer/Writer
Myself feat. Novel  | Leona Lewis  | SONYBMG UK  | 2007  | Writer
Back Down  | Sugababes | Island UK  | 2007  | Producer/Writer
With You  | Tweet | Bugsby Group  | 2007  | Producer/Writer
Anymore  | Tweet  | Bugsby Group  | 2007  | Producer/Writer
Alright, Soundtrack & Score  | Knivez Out | Sony Pictures  | 2008  | Producer/Writer
I Can't Be Without You  | Nikki Flores | Epic/Sony  | 2008  | Producer/Writer
Love feat. Novel  | Nikki Flores  | Epic/Sony  | 2008  | Producer/Writer
Call Me feat. Novel  | Joell Ortiz | E1 Music | 2009  | Producer/Writer
We Don't Believe You feat. Novel  | Joell Ortiz | E1 Music | 2010  | Writer
Raindrops feat. Novel  | Slaughterhouse | E1 Music | 2009  | Writer
Missing You Feat. Novel  | David Guetta & Novel  | Virgin Fra (EMI)  | 2009  | Writer
Therapy  | India Arie | UMG  | 2009  | Writer
Broken  | Leona Lewis | Sony BMG UK  | 2009  | Writer
Eyes For You  | Esmee Denters Justin Timberlake | Tennman  | 2009  | Producer/Writer
Hero  | David Guetta | Virgin Fra (EMI)  | 2010  | Writer
Coming Home  | Lemar | Epic Sony BMG | 2010  | Producer/Writer
Trust Him  | Fantasia | J Records  | 2010  | Producer/Writer
Ms. Orleans feat. Kid Rock  | Trombone Shorty | Jazz  | 2011  | Writer
Walk with Me feat. Novel  | Lecrae | Reach | 2012  | Writer/ Feature
Under Water, Overwhelmed EP  | Novel | Unsigned/Lost Poets  | 2012-2013  | Writer/ Co-Producer
The Woman You Love feat. Busta Rhymes  | Ashanti | Unknown  | 2012/2013  | Writer
BlackStreet  | Teddy Riley | N/A  | 2013/2014  | Writer
Detox Album/Untitled feat. Novel  | Dr. Dre | Interscope  | Unknown  | Writer
If I Die Tonight feat. Novel  | Lecrae  | Reach  | 2013  | Writer
Fire & Brimstone  | Trombone Shorty  | Jazz  | 2014  | Writer
Nothing Is Impossible  | Smokie Norful | Motown Gospel  | 2014  | Writer/ Co-Producer
He Loves Me  | Smokie Norful | Motown Gospel  | 2014  | Writer/ Co-Producer
Hey Mama (feat. Nicki Minaj)  | David Guetta | unknown  | 2015  | Vocalist/Sample Re-imagine for Film and Commercial versions only
Made In America  | The Game  | The Documentary 2  | 2015  | co-Writer
Joy (NBA Theme Song)  | Coby Odonis  | Sony  | 2015  | co-Writer/ Co-Producer
Lifes Pretty Sweet (Georgia Tourism Theme)  | Novel  | unknown  | 2016  | co-Writer/ Producer
Can't Keep Me Caged (Netflix Commercial)  | Novel  | Lost Poet Indie  | 2016  | Writer/ Producer
Key To The Streets feat. Migos (Remix)  | YFN LUCCI  | T.I.G.  | 2016  | co-Writer/Producer
No Dope On Sundays (feat. Pusha T)  | Cyhi Da Prynce | Sony  | 2017  | co-Writer/ Co-Producer
Get Yo Money  | Cyhi Da Prynce | Sony  | 2017  | co-Writer/ Co-Producer
Don't Know Why (feat. Jagged Edge)  | Cyhi Da Prynce  | Sony  | 2017  | co-Writer/ Co-Producer
Leave With You (feat. Novel)  | Dallas Austin  | Rowdy  | 2017-2018  | co-Writer/Vocal Producer
Not A Rich Man (feat. Royce da 5′9″)  | Summer Of 96  | Unknown  | 2017  | Writer/Producer
Sunflower Seeds (feat. Novel)  | PRhyme2 (DJ Premier & ROyce)  | N/A  | 2018  | co-Writer/Performer
Misunderstood (feat. Novel)  | Father Figures Movie  | Soundtrack/ Film Score  | 2018  | Producer/Writer/Performer
Red Light (feat. Dej Loaf)  | Jacquees | 4275  | 2018  | Co-Writer
Bossy  | Ocean's 8 Movie Scene  | Film Score  | 2018  | Writer
Hell Fire (RetroValley)  | HBO Trailer  | unsigned  | 2019  | Producer/Co-writer/Performer
Monster feat. Afro  | BET TV Synch  | Cop Watch: Reality Docu Series  | 2019  | Artist/Writer/Singer/producer
Can't Keep Me Caged  | BET TV Synch  | Cop Watch: Reality Docu Series  | 2019  | Artist/Writer/Singer/producer
The Old Groove  | Griselda - Westside Gunn, Conway The Machine, Benny The Butcher | Shady Records | 2020  | Featured Artist/Writer/Rapper/Singer
Can't Keep Me Caged  | Netflix Trailer/Commercial  | 13Th Documentary  | 2021  | Artist/Writer/Singer/producer
A Sickness  | Netflix Film Score  | Monster | 2021  | Artist/Writer/Singer
Rise  | STARZ | Power II: Book Of Ghost Season 1 Finale  | 2021  | Artist/Writer/rapper/Producer
Wild Chapter Conway The Machine feat. T.I. | God Don't Make Mistakes  | Shady Records | 2021-2022  | Featured Artist/Rapper/Singer

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d Jeffries, David. "Novel - Biography". Allmusic (Rovi Corporation). Retrieved June 24, 2013.
2. ^ a b c d Gerstenzang, Peter (March 2009). "Motown scion writes for Alicia Keys, raps over Ben Folds, and gets a second chance at stardom". Spin. 25 (3). SPIN Media LLC: 36. ISSN 0886-3032.
3. ^ a b Lemon, Damien (August 2003). "It Was Written". Vibe. 11 (8). Vibe Media Group: 92. ISSN 1070-4701.
4. ^ Jones, Steve (April 3, 2003). "Bravo for rapper Novel's perseverance". USA Today. Retrieved June 24, 2013.
5. ^ "SOHH Exclusive From Capitol artist Novel: 'Hold On' Plus Soul Rebel Q&A". SOHH. March 4, 2009. Retrieved June 24, 2013.
6. ^ a b "Novel, Open Book". XXL. March 9, 2009. Retrieved June 24, 2013.
7. ^ Peisner, David (March 2009). "Reviews - Albums". Spin. 25 (4). SPIN Media LLC: 82. ISSN 0886-3032.
8. ^ "David Guetta feat. Novel - 'Missing You'". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 24, 2013.
9. ^ "Review: Joell Ortiz & Novel, Defying the Predictable". XXL. February 16, 2010. Retrieved June 24, 2013.
10. ^ "Novel – Hood Chick (feat. Rapper Pooh) | OnSMASH". Freeonsmash.com. 2011-02-11. Retrieved 2012-03-17.
11. ^ "Direct quote; "With a slight delay, Novel finally brings us the offering for Legato Blues Summer, the official mixtape before his Calligraphy album."". Freeonsmash.com. 2010-09-24. Retrieved 2012-03-17.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website
* Novel discography at Discogs
* Production and writing credits (partial list; via Allmusic) [1][2][3]

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
* VIAF

Artists|

* MusicBrainz