Today we’d like to introduce you to NOVALIS.
Novalis, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I am originally from Ghana West Africa, I came to the states around the age of 13. I used education as my gateway to the states although my whole mentality was, “I’m going to come to America and put Africa on the map”!!
I always wanted to be a rap artist, so I knew the move to America would get me closer to my dream and my favorite artists during that time. With African parents, school is always the priority so my focus shifted to education and finishing school. So rap became a leisure for me until my cousin started booking me shows and performances around school without my consent. We started performing around the city with my Money Mastered crew. After I graduated, I decided to fully pursue a career in music and it definitely has been a long journey to get to the level I am today. Although I am not where I want to be, I am a lot closer.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Oh Nah lol!! It’s never a smooth road. Aside from going broke trying to invest in myself, sacrificing time with my loved ones, the toughest struggle has always been the internal battles for me. Steadily believing even when nobody else did, telling yourself “you not working hard enough” even when people say that you are. The internal battle between greatness and the fear of mediocrity is what is the toughest thing for me.
Can you give our readers some background on your music?
I am a rapper/afrobeat artist. I excel in rap and incorporating it with the afrobeat sound is something that I am known for. Afrobeat being an African sound is very fitting of me because that’s where I’m from. It comes easy to me. I’ve always been fans of artists such as Jay-z, J cole, Kendrick and Eminem but this whole thing is bigger than me.
I want to represent the whole continent of Africa. That’s why I am very proud of the new movement we started which is Green Card Nation. Its a collective of any individual making something of themselves no matter what field it is. It’s about coming here and making something of yourself. What sets me apart from others is the fact that there can only be one NOVALIS. My experiences are going to be different, my background is going to be different. My life story is also going to be different. I mean to be quite honest being yourself is the definition of being unique.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I would say, fail faster. Failing is part of the grind and a learning process. Also, take the emotions out of it as well. Business and emotions don’t go together. Only emotions you need is Belief and faith and that’s it!!!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.novalisofficial.com
- Email: novalisofficial@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/novalisofficial
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/novalisofficial
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/novalisofficial
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjo8zPqEfPE
Image Credit:
@lloyd_mack
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