Interview With V. Nova

Brooklyn rapper V. Nova presents the Cynical Smith-directed music video for “Abstract Art” his single featuring Smif-N-Wessun. “Art” is a song from Hidden In Plain Sight 3, Nova’s new mixtape out now (listen) featuring Malcah, David Godfrey of MJT, and Brooklyn’s Uncle Murda on the DJ Keal-produced “You Died”. The “Art” video comes on the heels of the release fo the music video for “The New Commission” (watch). Part of rap duo BOE and Villa, Nova has worked with Erick Sermon (click to listen to “Vangundy”), MIDI Mafia, Denaun Porter of D-12, Wyclef Jean, Needlz, Mario Winans, Monifa, Rakim, Akinyele, Canibus (click to listen to “Seriously”), Fabolous, EPMD, Papoose, Funkmaster Flex, DJ Enuff and DJ Self. Nova’s upcoming mixtape is the third volume of his HIPS series (listen toVolume 1 and Volume 2). Steele from Smif-N-Wessun recently brought out V. Nova to perform his record “I Still Love Her” for DJ Toshi’s Classic Storm Radio 7th Anniversary at Drom in NYC (watch the live footage here).

The Interview:

What has the reaction been like to your new album, Hidden In Plain Sight 3? So far so good. Every individual has a different favorite which is what I intended. I wanted to make something any generation can relate to and enjoy. There’s something on there for everyone.

What do you think is the prevailing mood in America today? Do you find that it filters into your music? The real issues of America have been swept under a rug so much that the rug can’t cover it anymore. America should pay less attention to what’s going on in other peoples’ home and more on what’s going on in their back yard. I’ve always been attentive to the current events and have been filtering into my music since the beginning.

You have great beats. What’s your process for deciding which beats to use and not use? Normally when I start working on a project I’ll have 70% of the beats already picked out before I write my first line. Once I decide the direction and concept of the album I’ll look for the ones I see fit. No specific producer (if it’s hot, it’s hot). After the album is recorded I evaluate, add/delete songs then order them. This was my remedy when creating HiPS3.

Do you think the era of thoroughbred emcees is permanently behind us? Do you think rappers today can remain hardcore and still find mainstream success? How do you approach that balance? I think the “golden” era of thoroughbred emcees is behind us but there’s still hope for at least the playing field to become even. It’s only so long they can keep shoving the same hollow music form on ears. There will always be a thoroughbred emcee who comes along to capture the attention of the masses, balancing dope beats and catchy hooks with thoroughbred verses.

What’s the plan for 2015? The plan for 2015 is good business and quality music. I just started working on my next street album titled Koch Era and an EP I’m releasing titled Midnight In Brooklyn. Besides that, expect many more features and shows. Thank you