Nova Leigh Paholek (born 22 July 1988), known professionally as Nova Rockafeller, is an independent Canadian
rapper
Rapping (also rhyming, spitting, emceeing or MCing) is a musical form of vocal delivery that incorporates "rhyme, rhythmic speech, and street vernacular". It is performed or chanted, usually over a backing beat or musical accompaniment. The ...
, singer, songwriter, and
music video director
A music video director is the head of music video production. The director conceives of videos' artistic and dramatic aspects while instructing the musical act, technical crew, actors, models, and dancers. They may or may not be in collaboration ...
.
Early life
Rockafeller was born in
Edmonton
Edmonton ( ) is the capital city of the Canadian province of Alberta. Edmonton is situated on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Metropolitan Region, which is surrounded by Alberta's central region. The city ancho ...
,
[https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/nova-rockafeller-from-the-streets-of-edmonton-to-a-record-label-1.3000133 ] but raised in Jamaica;
spending a quarter of the year there from age 3 to 9 years old and living there full-time from age 9 to 14 after her family started a water sports business.
She also briefly lived in
Toronto
Toronto ( ; or ) is the capital city of the Canadian province of Ontario. With a recorded population of 2,794,356 in 2021, it is the most populous city in Canada and the fourth most populous city in North America. The city is the ancho ...
and
New York City
New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the List of United States cities by population, most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the L ...
.
[Archived a]
Ghostarchive
and th
Wayback Machine
As a teen, she dropped out of high school and began rapping during a difficult period of her life split between sleeping at the Edmonton Youth Emergency Shelter and living in a series of group homes.
She was inspired to start rapping and exploring the online battle rap forums by her then boyfriend.
Music career
Rockafeller grew up surrounded by music as her father and her brother, Terry Paholek, were heavily involved with the Edmonton music scene and had their own home studio.
She began rapping at the age of 15 when she was living in a group home.
The moniker 'Nova Rockafeller' was given to her one night during a party with other rappers, who decided she needed a new name.
In 2011, Rockafeller released her debut album ''Insufficient Funds'', which chronicled six months of her life.
In 2012, Rockafeller had her song 'call me (BAT MAN) 347-574-7192' posted on the front of
The Pirate Bay
The Pirate Bay (sometimes abbreviated as TPB) is an online index of digital content of entertainment media and software. Founded in 2003 by Swedish think tank Piratbyrån, The Pirate Bay allows visitors to search, download, and contribute mag ...
during its period as 'The Promo Bay'; the song was available as a free download.
Mercury Records took notice of her, so Rockafeller moved to New York and signed with them. The label would later become Island Records, and, in turn
Def Jam
Def Jam Recordings (also simply known as Def Jam) is an American multinational record label owned by Universal Music Group. It is based in Manhattan, New York City, specializing predominantly in hip hop, contemporary R&B, soul and pop.
The ...
.
Her relationship with Def Jam ended when the company dropped her without warning after three and a half years. She found out when her landlord said that the company would no longer pay her rent.
Prior to the label dropping her, Rockafeller had been working on an album named ''Accidentally Gangster'',
which was cancelled.
In 2015, during her time with Def Jam, Rockafeller began to break out into the mainstream with her single "Made in Gold", which reached the Top 20 on Sirius Top Hits.
The single was featured in teen comedy film
The Duff
''The DUFF'' (teen slang for "Designated Ugly Fat Friend") is a 2015 American high school teen comedy film directed by Ari Sandel. The screenplay by Josh Cagan was based on the 2010 novel of the same name by Kody Keplinger. The film stars Mae ...
.
Her music has also been featured on
Siesta Keys
A ''siesta'' (from Spanish, pronounced and meaning "nap") is a short nap taken in the early afternoon, often after the midday meal. Such a period of sleep is a common tradition in some countries, particularly those in warm-weather zones. The ...
,
Dancing with the Stars
''Dancing with the Stars'' is the name of various international television series based on the format of the British TV series '' Strictly Come Dancing'', which is distributed by BBC Studios, the commercial arm of the BBC. Currently the forma ...
, and
Bad Girls Club
''Bad Girls Club'' (abbreviated ''BGC'') is an American reality television series created by Jonathan Murray for the Oxygen network in the United States. The show focused on the altercations and physical confrontations of seven aggressive, q ...
.
That year, she toured with
Set it Off and
All Time Low
All Time Low is an American rock band from Towson, Maryland, formed in 2003. Consisting of lead vocalist/rhythm guitarist Alex Gaskarth, lead guitarist Jack Barakat, bassist/backing vocalist Zack Merrick, and drummer Rian Dawson, the band too ...
,
as well as performed at
SXSW
South by Southwest, abbreviated as SXSW and colloquially referred to as South By, is an annual conglomeration of parallel film, interactive media, and music festivals and conferences organized jointly that take place in mid-March in Austin, Te ...
,
Riot Fest
Riot Fest is an annual three-day punk rock music festival based in Chicago, Illinois, at Douglass Park. It is known for booking reunions, guest performances, and full album performances. Riot Fest remains one of the largest independently owned m ...
, and the
Gathering of the Juggalos
The Gathering of the Juggalos (The Gathering or GOTJ) is an annual festival put on by Psychopathic Records, featuring performances by the entire label roster as well as numerous well-known musical groups and underground artists. It was founded by ...
.
Since her appearance at the Gathering, Rockafeller has been associated with the
Insane Clown Posse
Insane Clown Posse, often abbreviated as ICP, is an American hip hop duo. Formed in Detroit in 1989 as a gangsta rap group, ICP's best known lineup consists of rappers Violent J (Joseph Bruce) and Shaggy 2 Dope (originally 2 Dope; Joseph Utsler ...
and the
Juggalo
A juggalo (feminine juggalette, or juggala in Spanish) is a fan of the hip hop group Insane Clown Posse or any other hip hop group signed to Psychopathic Records. Juggalos have developed their own idioms, slang, and characteristics. Th ...
movement. She also performed at
Violent J
Joseph Frank Bruce (born April 28, 1972), known by his stage name Violent J, is an American rapper, record producer, professional wrestler, and part of the hip hop duo Insane Clown Posse. He is a co-founder of the record label ''Psychopathic R ...
's first solo charity tour with
Lil Eazy E
Eric Darnell Wright (born April 23, 1984), better known by his stage names Lil Eazy-E and Lil Eazy, is an American rapper. He is best known for being the son of Eazy-E. He is the president of Rich & Ruthless Records, an entertainment and busine ...
.
In 2021, Rockafeller released "Hey You", her first solo single in over 2 years to tease her newest album ''Scared of Heights''.
The video received over 250k views within a single day.
Side projects
In 2012, Rockafeller launched her line of jewelry 'Toys on Chains'.
Personal life
Relationships
In 2017, Rockafeller began dating Canadian rapper
Tom MacDonald. Together, they started the band GFBF and began writing music. When Macdonald wrote 'Dear Rappers' and became famous, Rockafeller poured herself into supporting him. She shot and directed all of his music videos after 2017,
created his website, co-wrote hooks, and helped him navigate the music industry away from the pitfalls she experienced.
Nova also is known for dating R-A the Rugged Man.
Influences
Rockafeller has cited some of her influences as
Good Charlotte
Good Charlotte is an American rock band from Waldorf, Maryland that formed in 1996. Since 2005, the band's lineup has consisted of twin brothers Joel Madden (lead vocals) and Benji Madden (guitar and vocals), Paul Thomas (bass), Billy Martin (g ...
,
Blink 182
Blink-182 (stylized as blink-182) is an American rock band formed in Poway, California in 1992. Their current lineup consists of bassist/vocalist Mark Hoppus, guitarist/vocalist Tom DeLonge, and drummer Travis Barker. Though their sound has ...
,
The Fugees
''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the m ...
,
Tribe Called Quest
A Tribe Called Quest was an American Hip hop music, hip hop group formed in Queens, New York City, in 1985,[Q-Tip< ...](_blank)
,
Damien Marley,
Weezer
Weezer is an American rock band formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1992. Since 2001, the band has consisted of Rivers Cuomo (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Patrick Wilson (drums, backing vocals), Scott Shriner (bass guitar, keyboards, backing v ...
,
Busta Rhymes
Trevor George Smith Jr. (born May 20, 1972), known professionally as Busta Rhymes, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer and actor. Chuck D of Public Enemy gave him the moniker Busta Rhymes, after NFL and CFL wide receiver ...
,
Outkast,
Bright Eyes,
Nirvana
( , , ; sa, निर्वाण} ''nirvāṇa'' ; Pali: ''nibbāna''; Prakrit: ''ṇivvāṇa''; literally, "blown out", as in an oil lampRichard Gombrich, ''Theravada Buddhism: A Social History from Ancient Benāres to Modern Colombo.' ...
,
Die Antwoord
Die Antwoord (, Afrikaans for "The Answer") is a South African alternative hip hop group formed in Cape Town in 2008.
The group comprises rappers Watkin Tudor "Ninja" Jones and Anri "Yolandi Visser" du Toit, a male/female duo, and producers H ...
, and
Meg Myers
Janice Sue Meghan Myers (born October 6, 1986), known professionally as Meg Myers, is an American singer-songwriter and musician. Originally from Tennessee, Myers moved to Los Angeles to pursue music and met Doctor Rosen Rosen, who signed her t ...
.
Discography
Studio albums
Extended plays
Singles
*"1990s" (2014)
*"Made in Gold" (2015)
*"MI YARD" (2016)
*"Wishing Well" (2018)
*"Jesus on My Neck" (2018)
*"Genghis Khan" (2018)
*"Hey You" (2021)
*"Did Your Best" (2021)
With Tom MacDonald
*"Sober" (2020), with Madchild, ft. Nova Rockafeller
*"Bad News" (2020), with Madchild, ft. Nova Rockafeller
*"Gang Gang" (2021)
*"No Good Bastards" (2021), with Nova Rockafeller & Brandon Hart
*"Church" (2021), with Brandon Hart ft. Nova Rockafeller
*"Heart Emojis" (2021), with Brandon Hart ft. Nova Rockafeller
*"In God We Trust" (2022), with
Adam Calhoun,
Struggle Jennings
William Harness (born May 31, 1980), professionally known as Struggle Jennings, is an American rapper from Nashville, Tennessee. He is the grandson of instrumental rock guitarist Duane Eddy and country musician Jessi Colter, the step-grandson o ...
, & Nova Rockafeller
With Violent J
*"Sick Kidz" (2016), with
Violent J
Joseph Frank Bruce (born April 28, 1972), known by his stage name Violent J, is an American rapper, record producer, professional wrestler, and part of the hip hop duo Insane Clown Posse. He is a co-founder of the record label ''Psychopathic R ...
, ft. Young Wicked, Nova Rockafeller &
Lil Eazy-E
Eric Darnell Wright (born April 23, 1984), better known by his stage names Lil Eazy-E and Lil Eazy, is an American rapper. He is best known for being the son of Eazy-E. He is the president of Rich & Ruthless Records, an entertainment and busines ...
With The Wikid One
*"Find Me" (2017), ft. Nova Rockafeller
With Rp Jesus
*"Pillz" (2017), ft. GFBF, Nova Rockafeller & Tom MacDonald
With Thrashole
*"You Want Her" (2018, ft. Blimes, The Buttress & Nova Rockafeller
With D-LinQuint
*"Superstar" (2019), ft. Nova Rockafeller, Y.I.C & Jay P
With Rachel Geek
*"Come Talk to Me" (2020), ft. Nova Rockafeller
References
External links
*-*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rockafeller, Nova
1988 births
Living people
21st-century Canadian rappers
21st-century Canadian women musicians
Canadian women rappers
Canadian women songwriters
Canadian people of English descent
Canadian people of French descent
Canadian people of Ukrainian descent
Canadian expatriates in Jamaica
Musicians from Edmonton
YouTube channels launched in 2009
Mercury Records artists
Island Records artists
Def Jam Recordings artists
Canadian hip hop singers
Canadian punk rock singers
Electronic dance music musicians
Canadian music video directors
21st-century women rappers