STRATOSPHERE MIX TAPE REVIEW 

    Nova November’s debut mix tape titled Stratosphere is an action packed 20 track adventure. Stratosphere is filled with fun beats, charismatic lyrics and superior production. These strengths are clearly evident from start to finish. Nova November is a rapper who carries on the tradition of charismatic artists raised in Harlem. The young rapper displays a undeniable ability to make feel good music mixed with lyrics good enough to hold up to grandiose beats. 

   

    The intro is a soulful beat produced by Jay Beats titled Superman.  Nova November's flow over this beat grabs the listeners instantly, and has billboard entry written all over it. The fresh soulful sample is a beat that old school music lovers would appreciate. November reflects in his rhymes ‘’same dude in high school they never mentioned tried to get all the girls but got no attention.’’ It is very obvious that November’s main strength is his honesty while rhyming. He is not afraid to point out his flaws or weaknesses, which shows maturity for such a young artist.

  Nova November switches the mood drastically on the mix tape’s second track titled Deep in Love. The love ballad by featured artist Scotty B. gives the track a very charming and suave feel. November explains how he falls in love for a girl that’s in a relationship. He paints the picture vividly in each verse over the smooth Majors produced beat. He keeps the mood going with more laid back beats like Show up Wild out, Nova Life and Bad Girls. This segment of the mix tape is the most cohesive portion of the mix tape, and has a L.P. feel to it. His first single Bad Girls is an ode to all the attractive girls out there in the world. The catchy beat produced by B.13 is a radio friendly cut that can possibly catapult Nova November to the top. 

                                                                   

              As the mix tape wears on November delves deeper into his personal life. The insightful track Castle in the Sky produced by Dizzy is the deepest track on the mix tape. November talks about many different issues that have plagued him in his life. His hard hitting lyrics are felt especially when he discusses his relationship with his deadbeat father; and growing up in poverty. These events led to November being teased in school. November angrily spits lyrics towards his father “I guess he seen greater cause he told me and my fam I see you later. How you don’t know my name but you made me.’’ He then talks about his lack of designer clothes that caused him to be an outcast throughout his life. ‘’Look at the world we live in, remember having to do stuff to fit in trying to keep up with life is like a dead end; wishing for some money some fly sh*t some linen. The level of honesty and intuitive lyrics mixed with the great beat give the Castle in the Sky track a lot of potential. Nova Novembers track Better off also has potential to become a smash hit. The Obi 1 produced track is a sped up sample of Maroon 5’s song Better that we break. The song introduces Hip-hop fans to another genre, and has a fresh and unique feel to it. The juxtaposition of a pop song mixed with hip-hop lyrics is a recipe for success in this instance. He keeps the same theme Maroon 5 had of being heart broken, and having to break up with a loved one. He puts his own twist to the track by talking about having a girlfriend of his who had  an abortion. He raps guiltily ‘’I told you lose the baby a ni**a so ungrateful, I could have been a father with a whole lot of gifts at the baby shower. “This track Better off showcases Nova Novembers level of creative abilities mixed with solid content.

              
           Tracks toward the latter part of the album go back to more fun up beat tracks that are made for the club. Turn Me On produced by The Majors is a summery beat with a feverish feel to it. A solid contribution by Floetic gives the track a throwback feel.  The syrupy hook compliments the song well as both M.C.’s take turns spitting over the track. He keeps the up-tempo pace going with subsequent tracks like Top Again, Headache, and The King.

                The Stratosphere mix tape is action packed and filled with grandiose beats and solid lyrics. Nova Novembers debut project is a solid effort. This Harlem born artists displays his charismatic personality and taste for great beats throughout this mix tape. Only problem is he should have released this good effort as a LP and not a mix tape, just because it has so much to offer. 

Standout Tracks: Bad Girls, Castle in the Sky, Superman, Better off, Turn me on

Latest Video: Bad girls http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8K_9MaRlo8&feature=youtu.be