NovA, Philadelphia Underground Rapper

Who is NovA?

NovA started writing rhymes at 14, and before that his first time on a stage was in his school band, playing trumpet. The records in the house were the ones that still show in his writing: 2Pac, JAY-Z and Lauryn Hill, artists he credits with the idea that a verse can be technically sharp and still mean something. He works with producers around the world over the internet, usually starting from the beat and letting the production pull the words out.

Before Dark Was The Night came the more experimental album The New Black. NovA describes Dark Was The Night as the perfection of that approach: keep the range, but put every choice in service of one story. Read the full bio →

What is Dark Was The Night?

Dark Was The Night is NovA’s 25-track concept album, released February 28, 2025. It tells one boy’s life from start to finish: it opens with a boy watching his father die, follows him through a hard Philadelphia upbringing and a love that looks like the way out, and ends with the betrayal that undoes him. The sound moves with the story, from hardcore, super-lyrical Philly rap to lush R&B-leaning records.

NovA spent two years on it, down to the lyrics, pacing, features and ad-libs. His stated goal, in his words, was to make “the first great underground hip-hop classic of the 2020s.” Guests include Styles P of The LOX on “Hell On Earth”, Philadelphia’s own Freeway on “Marvel”, and Dev Hoc on “Sweet”.

What tracks are on Dark Was The Night?

The album runs 25 tracks in about 71 minutes. A few places to start:

1. Left On Red 1:16
2. Pocket Rocket 2:55
3. No Where To Run 2:32 · official visualizer
4. Hell On Earth feat. Styles P 3:12
5. Sweet feat. Dev Hoc 2:43
6. Marvel feat. Freeway 3:01

The full 25-track list, with a player, is on the album page and the music page.

What is NovA’s latest release?

NovA’s latest release is “No Where To Run”, track 5 of Dark Was The Night, with an official visualizer available in 4K on his YouTube channel. It runs 2:32.

Watch the visualizer and all 25 tracks on YouTube →

Where can I hear NovA’s music?

Dark Was The Night is everywhere: Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube, or as a direct download on Bandcamp. Every one of the 25 tracks is on his channel, in album order.