The GunshineState's latest weapon is ready for his shot
09:00PM ET September 14, 2009
Contributor: Nadine Graham
A Rocky Williform Company
 Miami lyricist Nove is on a grind mission, hoping to bring life and freshness to the rap game. He's an artist who's not afraid to break a beat down and build on it, all to let listeners know that he's not lazy- and it shows in his musical efforts. The young Slick Salt artist has put in work with legends such as Scarface and Bun B, learning from these experiences and holding his own over thumping production. His upcoming mixtape is all about letting outsiders know what it's like to be a Product of His Environment, though he's steadily moving beyond it.
How did you get into rapping?
I ain't gon' lie. Just Biggie and 'Pac really. Just listening to the music and loving the music. I felt like, "I bet I can do that..." I just took it on and it progressed. It just got better and better.
What's the method you use for creating a track you can be proud of?
I like to work from scratch. I work with a producer now, Midus of Golden Child Productions. He's got a lot of work, but when I get in the studio with him, I'm like, "C'mon, we've gotta build from scratch." Then, once he makes the track, midway through, I'm already coming up with my hook. So by the time he finishes the track, I got where I'm going already. With whatever other things I throw in the stew, it's magic.
What's the meaning behind the rap alias?
I was originally Novacaine, but there was a dude that [came out rapping]; he was in prison but when he got out he started going by Novacaine. So I let him have that and just shortened it up and made it Nove. Then I looked it up, started Googling it. It means life, bringing something new.
Describe that day you performed at FloridaMemorialUniversity and ended up meeting Slick Salt CEO James Jackson.
I remember it like it was yesterday. I was nervous as hell, man! [Laughs] I had an opportunity. My dad worked there, so I got the chance to do it. I was backstage and it was like scariest thing ever but I went out and did my thing and everyone was clapping for me and everything just kinda happened. Shows are easier now but I still get the butterflies.
Whose career do you wish to model your own after?
I've got a lot of moguls that I look up to, so it's not just people who rap and sing. I'm into the business part too. I like to know what's going on and I'm going to ask questions.
How did working with renowned emcees such as Scarface affect how you demonstrated your craft?
It definitely helped. It gave me something different. I hadn't worked with artists who were big like that, so when I got the opportunity it definitely had an influence on my music.
What's next for Nove?
I'm working on my album, it's untitled right now, but it's coming. And I've got a mixtape coming out by October. It's called Product of My Environment. Jim Jones had one that was called, P.O.M.E., but mine will be [worded] the whole thing, Product of My Environment. I don't want anyone to mistake it. That's what it is and that's what I am.
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