Mister Novela: The Interview
A shining third album with a little pop here and a little soul there that sees a trilogy to its end. Is this New York rapper next up? Decide for yourself.
Mister Novela is from the westside of Rochester, New York. His new album Future: Before It’s Too Late is out now. This album completes his trilogy of albums following his last two, called Past and Present. I got hip to Mister Novela because of his song featuring Atlanta singer Sakura “Like Me”. Intrigued by his lyricism, approach to bars, and vocal tone, I took a deeper dive into his solo music and I don’t regret it. It’s very NYC, but it has its own commercial appeal too. The new album is great. I interviewed him over e-mail. Read on to get a refreshing insight on music from one of New York’s most talented and visionary up and coming recording artists.
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What is your earliest memory of music?
My pops used to play “Do It Again” by Jay-Z for me. It wasn’t because of rap but I just really like the song. I danced a lot as a kid. That shit was a bop. Now that I think about it, that might’ve been the start of everything. My mom played a lot of Gospel & Mary J [Blige] in the crib. She had all her CDs. I think that formulated my ear for things.
How musical is your family history?
Very. I’ve been told that Cab Calloway is like my uncle or some shit like that. Look him up. Most of my uncles and most of my cousins do music.
Are you the first to pursue music as a career in your family?
Nah, my uncles were doing this before me, but I have a feeling I can surpass them and become more successful at it. I’ve learned a lot from them.
What do you remember about the first song you wrote and recorded?
I recorded my first joint with KZA K’ Lee at Mama G crib (RIP). It was called, “La La La”, I had KZA on the second verse. I was lit, it kind of came naturally to me. I don’t think I was nervous or anything, but I knew I needed to find my comfort on the mic.
How often do you write and record music?
When I first started, I would write like 5-10 songs a week. I wrote everywhere, the crib, the bus, at work on the job, at parties, anywhere.
Then I figured out how to record myself. I would go crazy everyday trying to record myself. I eventually started making my own beats in like 2015 and 2016. My work ethic was crazy. Nowadays, I’ll go a whole year without recording, I’ll just put beats I’ve made into a playlist and do a little writing here & there. I’d hit KZA’s crib for about two or three days & make a whole album, which is what I did with Future: Before It’s Too Late.
Who was your favorite artist as a child?
Definitely had to be Jay-Z, not in a cliche way though. We share the same birthday. My pops played Hov a lot when I was a kid. His album “Kingdom Come” actually made me love rap. The flow and word play on “30 Something” was insane to me. I was addicted to that song. Honestly, my wish is to share a birthday party with Hov where we’d play music we’ve made together that would never come out. “It’s only entertainment!!” HA.
When did you decide to pursue music as a career?
I started taking it serious when I moved to NY in 2017. My manager encouraged me to take the leap and move down. She really held me down. We’re on to something, hopefully the right ears will hear me soon.
Does it take pain to take music?
I’ve learned that pain makes the best music. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a sad song you’ve made from the pain you’ve experienced. You can make a happy song from pain. It doesn’t take pain to make music though. There’s so many other emotions that help you make music, which is why I love music. Any type of feelings I have, there’s a song for it.
What does a song mean to you in the grand scheme of things?
Hence my name being “Novela”, it’s all a story. Songs in general are your truths. What you speak will come to life. Music has the ability to control a lot of things. Sometimes we’re ignorant of that. At least I know I have been.
What is your favorite thing about the music industry?
As of right now, nothing because I know nothing… but I know enough to know I don’t have a “favorite” thing about it.
What is one thing you wish you could change about the music industry?
Mostly the care of mental health for these label’s artists. If I could add one more thing. it would be for everyone to own their masters.
What was your headspace like when making "Like Me"?
“Like Me” was a random joint I made around the time I was shuffling a few songs back and forth with Sakura. I made this beat and flipped “Nights” by Frank Ocean (don’t sue me) and I was very ecstatic that she was down to be on the song. It’s kind of crazy because I hadn’t met Sakura when we made this song but she was randomly in Rochester last year and I stepped out to met her. Very talented person, such a genius. More hits with her soon.
Is making music a thankless job?
Never & never will be. I have so many people to thank because of the music they’ve made. The music saved my life, I’ll always thank them.
How did you get the name Mister Novela?
The lil homie, “Yop Suzy”, did a drawing of me one day. It was mad random but I went by Ars~Nov at the time. He gave me the nickname Mister Novela. I thought it was fire. I changed my name. I went through hella name changes. Cassius, Yankee Gold, Ars~Nova. Then, Mister Novela. It sticks. Novela is short for Telenovela, which means, “soap opera” or “short story” in Spanish. My projects are like soap operas. My songs are short stories.
You have another song with Sakura, "No Show". What are your thoughts on the Brico Fleur movement in Atlanta?
Yaya! s/o Sakura. Very dope individual. To be very honest, I haven’t tapped in much, but I see that they’re moving. I’m glad they have Sakura as a part of that.
What was it like making Present?
Whew, child. Man, Present was definitely a learning process. Figuring out who I am, understanding my emotions, learning to be “present”. Listening to the album now, I’m still learning about myself. Making Present was kind of like when you asked me, “How often do you write and record music?”.
When I was living in NYC, I didn't have access to record like that. Only time I was really able to record was when I made my song, “Clean Soil”, at my boy Nicko crib. Shout out Quite Room in Coney Island. I made beats and wrote a lot though. I was always in some bullshit. I traveled back to Rochester like twice in 2018 and hit KZA crib for a couple days and made Present. I talked about everything that was actually happening with me. It was messy. I was bugging. Just raw content, writing out my mistakes and flaws. I only had Present for like a month and some change when it was fully finished before I released it. There’s nothing I would change. I’ve learned that sometimes I just need to live out my life and collect knowledge as I go. Present is apart of this trilogy of Projects called, “Past, Present, Future”
What was it like making Family Ties?
First off, shout out my fellow swordsmen. Lijah Rios, Horus, and Marcel Allen. They embodied the vision I had for that song. I asked them all to send me a verse for that beat that KZA made. When it comes to the new generation of rap, it’s trash. All that shit niggas is spitting is TRASH. I’m over it. I consider them guys family, so I wanted them to be on this song as we go into this new generation of rap. Family Ties sounds like Rochester, NY.
What is one genre you could never see yourself making?
Country music. Mad corny.
Outside of music, where do you find your creativity?
I shoot on film for memory because my shit is trash. I smoke too much weed. Shooting on film helps me be creative though, pull up ideas. Honestly, everyday life breeds inspiration for me, my family, my brothers, sex, drugs, struggles, love… a plethora of things.
What's next for you?
Keep it buck, I don’t know. I’m jammed up right now. Life is crazy, but I just put it in song. I’m really humble but my new shit crazy. I want to take over for a decade.
If you could speak to your 18 year old self, what would you say?
“All that bullshit you doin’ ain’t worth it, duke. Cut that shit out. Spend more time with your moms. You have the ability to inspire, take heed and save your money.”
How is it like making music in Rochester, NY?
Ain’t nothing like it. Even though it can be a very miserable place, very poverty struck... I can record anywhere in the world and it’ll never be like home. I make music the best here. 4$IDE is here, BLKWAV is here. My first love was here. My first flip was here. My family is here . My love for music started here. I’m aware that that’s possible to change, because there’s places I haven't been, but we all know there’s no place like home.