“Unstoppable” – Alicia Keys
“An amazing talent” – Leona Lewis
“The potential to be greater than what we have in the business” – Talib Kweli
“Lyrical genius” – Joell Ortiz
“The most unbelievably talented artist, writer and producer of our time” – Dallas Austin

Like the glowing blurbs slathered on the cover of a New York Times best-seller, advance praise for Rowdy/Capitol debut artist NOVEL is rolling in from collaborators and peers.

To ride the groundswell, rapper/singer/songwriter/producer Novel is hitting the road months ahead of the February 2009 release of his first album, THE AUDIOBIOGRAPHY… His intent? To prove what the insiders already know – that he is destined to be one of the major names of this or any year.

Watch Novel video – he talks about the upcoming album:

THE AUDIOBIOGRAPHY… was written, performed and produced entirely by Novel. Collaborations come from Dallas Austin, hit producer No I.D., Robin Thicke, DJ Toomp and Tony Reyes.

Novel’s first digital single “I Am,” featuring Ben Folds, Talib Kweli and Spree Wilson, releases on October 7, 2008; an album sampler follows soon thereafter. Also expect video footage from the tour on Novel’s web pages.

NOVEL, born Alonzo Stevenson, boasts a bloodline that can only be termed stellar: he is grandson of the immortal soul singer/Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Solomon Burke, and son of the Motown songwriter, producer and A&R executive Mickey Stevenson. But these legends become mere back story figures in the tale of a self-made man and talent. Born in Los Angeles, Novel and his mother crisscrossed the country. He cites his time in Philadelphia as a turning point; there, the music of Donny Hathaway and Nina Simone among others spurred his songwriting.

During one sojourn across the States, a call to an industry ally – now Novel’s manager – led to a chance meeting with impresario Dallas Austin, who mentored Novel as an all-around talent. Under Dallas’ tutelage, the singer/rapper would add lofty production and songwriting credits to his resume: India.Arie, Alicia Keys, Kelis, Joss Stone.

Skip to the present and Novel’s sung/rapped lyrics, at once deeply personal and satisfyingly literate, now sit atop his own arrangements and production. Novel is on the cusp of a major breakthrough, having engrossed today’s musical luminaries and innovators. Fans likewise won’t be able to put down THE AUDIOBIOGRAPHY…

Alicia Keys / Novel September 2008 Tour Dates:

(Dates and information subject to change.)

9/12 – Foxwoods Casino – Mashantucket, CT
9/13 – Horseshoe Casino – Hammond, IN
9/14 – Proctor & Gamble Hall – Cincinnati, OH
9/17 – Wells Fargo Theatre – Denver, CO
9/18 – Abravenel Hall – Salt Lake City, UT
9/20 – WAMU Theater – Seattle, WA
9/21 & 22 – Orpheaum – Vancouver, BC, CAN
9/26 – Santa Barbara Bowl – Santa Barbara, CA
9/27 – Dodge Theatre – Phoenix, AZ
9/28 – Anselmo Valencia Ampitheater – Tuscon, AZ

Get the first read on Novel here:

Novel Official Website
MySpace