Music that is…
You might have missed Memphis based lyricist Novakane over the past few years but I bet you won’t miss United Streets Of America. Money By da Pound artist Novakane’s latest offering has a pleasant surprise in store, that is if you appreciate the finer things in life. Among my vices good food and good music rank right up there at the top and I gotta admit it’s been “Fasting Season” in the good music department as the radio airwaves are filled with more and more fluff, fantasy and just plain f&^#$ up music. After being numbed up by dumbed down music for a minute now I wasn’t quite ready for a dose of Novakane.
Get ready cuz Novakane is pushin’ that hard. Dope music just might be on the come up again if Novakane’s United Streets Of America is any example. After several years away from the scene, Novakane busts back with an album worthy collection of bangers beginning with “That’s A Lie” featuring Gucci Mane. I’m all for calling Bull*&^ when I see it, so the track immediately appealed to me, as Novakane puts it out there just like it is. Fakes, frauds and phonies beware, this one is about YOU. It’s a crying shame that in order to fill the shoes of the showman today’s artists are unafraid to sell a lie. In a business where image is everything, leased vehicles, rental cribs, fake booties and income exaggeration is in just about every song we hear at the moment.
Nothing fraudulent about the Money By da Pound Movement nor the talent and grind displayed by their artists and Novakane represents that movement to a T with his United Streets Of America. Feature heavy, the project includes tracks with 8 Ball & MJG, Waka Flocka, Young Buck, Boo Rossini, Young Dolph, and Gucci Mane among others.
The package hits the streets this fall but keep watch for doses of United Streets Of America to be leaked weekly until the release. Novakane is bringing nothing but hard music on United Streets Of America and my personal prediction is this is going to become a Hood Classic in a very short time.
After speaking with Novakane about his history, his future and his outlook on the music industry in general he really left me inspired. Inspired to continue on pushing for my dreams while continuing the daily grind required to pay the bills. He’s taken his licks, in life and in business, but he recognizes the god given talent in him is meant to be shared and he’s not stopping nor is he taking the easy road. Dedicated to his success you will find Novakane in the studio, on the road or on his promo grind and the work is non-stop. He’s not settling for half-way and he’s not sacrificing his own style for that next hit.
Grindin” Mag: Congratulations on your project Novakane, I gotta tell you I’m kinda known for hatin’ on damn near everyone’s music but I have to admit, you had me at “That’s A Lie” but I went back begging to hear the whole project early and once I got my hands on it, WOW. I don’t impress easily but I was impressed. Our whole staff was impressed and it’s been on repeat more days than not lately here in the offices.
Novakane: Thanks, Thanks, that means alot. You can call me Kane….
Grindin’ Magazine: Uh, I dunno I’m kinda loyal to the Big Daddy ….(laughs) So, anyway Novakane Kane imma get right to it, you had major success with “Shawty Said” back in ’09 what was that like and what’s it like to be pretty much starting over?
Novakane: Well, honestly I look at the past as a learning experience. I wasn’t expecting that song to take off, it was really never one of my favorites but it just took off. The ladies were lovin’ it, the DJs were supporting it was just the right song at the right time, that’s how it happens. Once it hit Billboard things just blew up and I was doing shows, traveling, the whole nine. It’s exciting and it’s hard work. In between that time and now I was still making music but I had to deal with the business part and really get that right. That was the biggest lesson, the business. Once you know what not to do, well doing it the right way is the only logical next step. So here I am today with a new label situation, a new project and a new outlook on this whole thing.
Grindin’ Mag: Well I’m excited about the project, that S*&^ is straight fire and I will say this again, I dislike a large quantity of today’s hip hop I really do. But you have that lyrical flow I always talk about that has been missing from hip hop. You are now on my short list of up and comers that are bringing lyricism back to the ballpark.
Grindin’ Mag: What’s up with the label, I hear a lot of noise out of Memphis from the MBP camp, how is that situation going for you.
Novakane: That’s my family, that trust, that loyalty it means everything. That family bond means more to me than success, money, anything. Loyalty is everything and when I got together with Jay and the rest of the MBP team I knew that was the right situation for me. We had to work out the details with my past label but after that it’s been nothing but forward progress and we’re just getting started.
Grindin’ Mag: That says a lot about both you and the label, loyalty is rare in life and even rarer in this business. So here’s the burning question and I really want to know what you think. What does it take for an artist who is unwilling to sacrifice his character and style to get a radio hit/major buzz? If you take away the stupid bubble gum/commercial tactics what are your options for major success.
Novakane: There was a time when an artists didn’t have to yell they name on a beat because if they had good music, people would inquire about them. Today everybody is trying to be somebody else so they taggin’ tracks, namin names, that kind of thing. As for radio, it’s so political these days, it’s not about the talent it’s about who has the biggest financial campaign. I’d rather plant my seeds in the street and watch it grow, that way it’l be hard to uproot my growth. Really the radio is like cheating if the streets ain’t got it first. Plants grow from the ground up, that’s why alot of artists fall so fast, the labels water em down without putting them in the soil first. That’s like growing a plant with straight water, no soil. Sooner or later they drown from not having a root to hold them from the street to the radio. That’s my opinion anyway.
Grindin’ Mag: It sounds to me like you have the master plan and I agree wholeheartedly, not only are you bringing back that smooth witty lyricism but you have a grass roots campaign effort planned that is so far from average, music that is far above average, sounds like a recipe for success to me. So what’s next, what can we expect and when can everyone expect to hear United Streets Of America.
Novakane: We are actually working to cover the whole United States with this project so I will be working with multiple DJs, artists from each state along with the major features. This project is going places, you can expect the first of the mixtape series to be out early fall this year. I’ll be heading to New York in August for a media/promotional tour and we’re finishing that trip up with a performance at Rucker Park.
Grindin’ Mag: What? Oh man I’m coming to that, I haven’t been since I was…..well let’s just say it’s been a minute.
Novakane: Fasho
Grindin’ Mag: So you mentioned hitting the hood in every state, where’s your home base?
Novakane: I’m originally from the West side of Chicago, but I’ve been in Memphis since 2000.
Grindin’ Mag: WOW Chi-Town to the South, what a transition, I didn’t see any Chicago features on the project, what’s up with that? I’ve heard a lot of noise outta Chi lately.
Novakane: Yeah my city is turnin it up. I’d love to work with some of those boys, Chief Keef, he doin’ it big, the LEP Boyz and I always gotta give it up to Bump J, he dat dude. We’re working on setting that up, but I can’t really say who yet.
Grindin’ Mag: So there’s more surprises in store? Damn, this just gets better and better. You must send me those as soon as they are in the bag, I mean as soon as!
Novakane: You got that!
Grindin’ Mag: I just wanna say we are totally behind you on this project, whatever you need……
Novakane: Thanks so much, it means a lot to me to hear that, to make a new fan, that’s what I want, just to build this thing, one fan at a time. To bring good music to people that love it. So keep your eyes on Money By da Pound, we bringin’ it!
Check out “Hard Music” With Fred The Godson, Murda Mook, Cory Gunz and Novakane.
Follow Novakane On Twitter @novakane_773 and Check Him Out On Reverbnation at http://reverbnation.com/novakanembp
