I Am - Novel (feat. Ben Folds, Talib Kweli & Spree Wilson)

Singer, rapper, songwriter and producer Novel releases “I Am”, one of five tracks on his E.P. “I Am…(Future Black President)”. The E.P. is a preview of his debut album “The Autobiography” due to be released on March 24, 2009.

Novel is the grandson of Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Solomon Burke and son of Mickey Stevenson, who was an ex Motown Records VP. He shows the fruits of his origins in his many musical talents.

“I Am”, is sampled from Ben Folds’ “The Luckiest” and features the artist himself in its production, on the piano and signing “I am” throughout, as well as jointly singing a line. The single also features Talib Kweli and the “well spoken” vocals of Spree Wilson, as the three combine with Novel to deliver a galvanizing rendition that promotes self-esteem and positive identity.

Novel, with a flow and voice resembling 2Pac, sets off rapping “I am reverence, future black President”, adding “I’m as a free as a spirit, I’m as a fly as a bird, I am whatever I wanna be, as long as I’m heard”. He rhymes the chorus “I am the product of the ghetto, my father’s boy, a brother to my sister, my mother’s pride and joy”. Talib Kweli then takes a strong verse, rhyming “I’m not nobody’s toy, I’m not nobody’s boy; I am someone’s man, I am someone’s joy”. Spree Wilson come in for the final verse, rhyming “I am the sign of the times, yes I still deliver the rhymes” and “I am the hippy peace fighter”.

“I Am”, was released on the E.P. “I Am…(Future Black President”) on November 25 (listen to it here) and with a rousing harmony of rhythm, rhymes and concept, Novel leaves you begging for more of his creative output. (So, are you looking forward to “The Autobiography”)?