Novel (musician)

Last updated
Novel
Born
Alonzo Mario Stevenson

Los Angeles, California
Genres Hip hop
Occupation(s) Rapper, producer, singer, songwriter
Years active2000–present
Labels Rowdy, Capitol, Rawkus

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.

Contents

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

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

Albums and EPs

Mixtapes

Production and writing

TitleArtistLabelYearContribution
Stand to the Side feat. Novel Talib Kweli MCA2002writer/& Feature
Peach Remix feat. G Unit, LLoyd BanksNovelRawkus2002writer/producer
Purify Me India.Arie Motown2005writer
Bossy Kelis LaFace/Zomba2005writer
Sick & Tired Monica Motown2005writer/ co-producer
Roll with Me Sammie Rowdy/Universal2006producer/writer
SlowSammieRowdy/Universal2006producer/writer
Addiction Stacie Orrico EMI/Virgin2006Producer/Writer
FrustratedStacie OrricoEMI/Virgin2006Producer/Writer
Baby GirlStacie OrricoEMI/Virgin2006Producer/Writer
Brush Em Off feat. NovelStacie OrricoEMI/Virgin2006Producer/Writer
Dream YouStacie OrricoEMI/Virgin2006Producer/Writer
Easy to Love YouStacie OrricoEMI/Virgin2006Producer/Writer
WaitStacie OrricoEMI/Virgin2006Producer/Writer
Tell You Something Alicia Keys J Records2007Writer
What We're Gonna Do Joss Stone Emi/Virgin2007Writer/ Co-Producer
Music feat. Lauryn Hill Joss Stone & Lauryn Hill Emi/Virgin2007Writer/Co-Producer
Whatever It Takes Leona Lewis SONYBMG UK2007Producer/Writer
Myself feat. NovelLeona LewisSONYBMG UK2007Writer
Back Down Sugababes Island UK2007Producer/Writer
With You Tweet Bugsby Group2007Producer/Writer
AnymoreTweetBugsby Group2007Producer/Writer
Alright, Soundtrack & Score Knivez Out Sony Pictures2008Producer/Writer
I Can't Be Without You Nikki Flores Epic/Sony2008Producer/Writer
Love feat. NovelNikki FloresEpic/Sony2008Producer/Writer
Call Me feat. Novel Joell Ortiz E1 Music 2009Producer/Writer
We Don't Believe You feat. Novel Joell Ortiz E1 Music 2010Writer
Raindrops feat. Novel Slaughterhouse E1 Music 2009Writer
Missing You Feat. Novel David Guetta & NovelVirgin Fra (EMI)2009Writer
Therapy India Arie UMG2009Writer
Broken Leona Lewis Sony BMG UK2009Writer
Eyes For YouEsmee Denters Justin Timberlake Tennman2009Producer/Writer
Hero David Guetta Virgin Fra (EMI)2010Writer
Coming Home Lemar Epic Sony BMG 2010Producer/Writer
Trust Him Fantasia J Records2010Producer/Writer
Ms. Orleans feat. Kid Rock Trombone Shorty Jazz2011Writer
Walk with Me feat. Novel Lecrae Reach 2012Writer/ Feature
Under Water, Overwhelmed EP Novel Unsigned/Lost Poets2012-2013Writer/ Co-Producer
The Woman You Love feat. Busta Rhymes Ashanti Unknown2012/2013Writer
BlackStreet Teddy Riley N/A2013/2014Writer
Detox Album/Untitled feat. Novel Dr. Dre InterscopeUnknownWriter
If I Die Tonight feat. NovelLecraeReach2013Writer
Fire & BrimstoneTrombone ShortyJazz2014Writer
Nothing Is Impossible Smokie Norful Motown Gospel2014Writer/ Co-Producer
He Loves Me Smokie Norful Motown Gospel2014Writer/ Co-Producer
Hey Mama (feat. Nicki Minaj) David Guetta unknown2015Vocalist/Sample Re-imagine for Film and Commercial versions only
Made In AmericaThe GameThe Documentary 22015co-Writer
Joy (NBA Theme Song)Coby OdonisSony2015co-Writer/ Co-Producer
Lifes Pretty Sweet (Georgia Tourism Theme)Novelunknown2016co-Writer/ Producer
Can't Keep Me Caged (Netflix Commercial)NovelLost Poet Indie2016Writer/ Producer
Key To The Streets feat. Migos (Remix)YFN LUCCIT.I.G.2016co-Writer/Producer
No Dope On Sundays (feat. Pusha T) Cyhi Da Prynce Sony2017co-Writer/ Co-Producer
Get Yo Money Cyhi Da Prynce Sony2017co-Writer/ Co-Producer
Don't Know Why (feat. Jagged Edge)Cyhi Da PrynceSony2017co-Writer/ Co-Producer
Leave With You (feat. Novel)Dallas AustinRowdy2017-2018co-Writer/Vocal Producer
Not A Rich Man (feat. Royce da 5′9″)Summer Of 96Unknown2017Writer/Producer
Sunflower Seeds (feat. Novel) PRhyme N/A2018co-Writer/Performer
Misunderstood (feat. Novel) Father Figures MovieSoundtrack/ Film Score2018Producer/Writer/Performer
Red Light (feat. Dej Loaf) Jacquees 42752018Co-Writer
Bossy Ocean's 8 Movie SceneFilm Score2018Writer
Hell Fire (RetroValley)HBO Trailerunsigned2019Producer/Co-writer/Performer
Monster feat. AfroBET TV SynchCop Watch: Reality Docu Series2019Artist/Writer/Singer/producer
Can't Keep Me CagedBET TV SynchCop Watch: Reality Docu Series2019Artist/Writer/Singer/producer
The Old GrooveGriselda - Westside Gunn, Conway The Machine, Benny The Butcher Shady Records 2020Featured Artist/Writer/Rapper/Singer
Can't Keep Me CagedNetflix Trailer/Commercial13Th Documentary2021Artist/Writer/Singer/producer
A SicknessNetflix Film Score Monster 2021Artist/Writer/Singer
Rise STARZ Power II: Book Of Ghost Season 1 Finale2021Artist/Writer/rapper/Producer
Wild Chapter Conway The Machine feat. T.I. God Don't Make Mistakes Shady Records 2021-2022Featured Artist/Rapper/Singer

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Jeffries, David. "Novel - Biography". Allmusic (Rovi Corporation). Retrieved June 24, 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 4 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. 1 2 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. 1 2 "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.
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