Novagang
Hip-hop collective
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Novagang (stylized in uppercase) is an American hip-hop collective formed in 2018 by rapper and record producer Prblm. The group's name was a portmanteau between his alias "Nova" and "gang".
Novagang | |
|---|---|
Official Novagang logo | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Nova Gang |
| Origin | United States |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2018–present |
| Label | Novagang |
| Members | |
| Past members |
|
| Website | ngngng |
Novagang was considered one of the early staple digicore collectives in the early 2020s along with Bloodhounds, Helix Tears, Graveem1nd and Co-op. Notable members included Xaviersobased, Midwxst and Quinn. Rapper Nettspend was a brief affiliate.
History
Novagang was formed by rapper and producer Prblm between 2018-2019, the group's name was a portmanteau between his alias "Nova" and "gang".[1] According to New York magazine The Fader, artist Stef co-managed Novagang with Prblm.[1] Stef disliked the term hyperpop to categorize the collective as the group had "a very eclectic sound".[1] The Fader also described the group as an "Internet collective".[2][3]
According to Rolling Stone magazine, Novagang "feature artists of variously different styles and sounds, but find community with each other in their shared rejection of stylistic limits."[4] In an interview with Dazed magazine, rapper Midwxst stated, "Everyone in helix tears and NOVAGANG" were performing with "different styles, sounds, aesthetics and lives, but having a group of musically gifted people allows us to make music without boundaries."[5] The collective has been associated with the genres hyperpop and digicore.[5][6]
In 2022, the group released their debut collaborative mixtape H.T.N.G.[1] On August 6, 2023, they released a sequel as a collaborative album H.T.N.G. VOL 2: JUDGEMENT DAY.[1][2] On August 19, they performed a sold out show in New York City headlined by Osquinn and Xaviersobased.[1][7][8] Other acts at the event included Exodus1900, Kasper Gem, Zootzie, Gv1nn and Strgurrl.[1][9]
Writing for The Fader, music journalist Jordan Darville noted that "Prblm under the dj yzma alias, deconstructs modern music's obsession with pop-punk and so-called 'emo rap' into shards of spacious and compelling sound art."[1] Darville added that Novagang provided a "freewheeling outsider's perspective to the world of experimental rap".[1] In 2025, he stated, "If you organized a gig with some of the guest artists from their discography [...] it would be rap's hottest ticket."[2]
Notable members
Notable members of the collective include Kuru,[10] Angelus,[11] Stef,[1] Midwxst, Xaviersobased, Quinn, Exodus1900, Kasper Gem, Zootzie, Gv1nn and Strgurrl.[1]
Prblm
Prblm (born 2002) is a Haitian-American rapper and record producer.[2] She[a] founded the collective Novagang in 2018.[2] She has produced songs and collaborated with artists such as Edward Skeletrix.[2] Music critic Jordan Darville, writing for The Fader, compared her sound to hitting as hard as Working on Dying or showcasing "heart" like Pi'erre Bourne.[2] Darville added that "prblm frequently sounded one step ahead of her contemporaries" citing songs such as "Monkey Quest Freestyle" as drawing from the "jerk revival".[2]
Kuru
Kuru (born November 14, 2005) is an American rapper from Maryland, United States.[citation needed] They[b] are a member of digicore collectives such as Novagang, Helix Tears and graveem1nd.[12] They have been described as a "digicore producer" by Pitchfork.[12] In 2024, Kuru released their debut studio album re:wired with production credits from artists such as Twikipedia.[12]
Lieu
Lieu (stylized in lowercase) (born August 26, 2007) is an American rapper from Livonia, Michigan.[citation needed] In 2021, his song "Threat" gained popularity online through being "bypassed" into the online game Roblox.[13] According to the New York Times, the song would be recognized by musician Phoebe Bridgers on Twitter and in the underground music scene.[13] Music journalist Kieran Press-Reynolds described the song as "being inside a digital dimension where every bass thud and synth shake is an enemy you’re blowing past, every vocal stutter and short-circuited squeak a new obstacle to avoid."[13]
Musical style and influence
Artist Angelus who is a member of the collective described their sound as "NOVA style", which is "loud, nightcored, and all over the place but it makes sense in the end".[11] Novagang has been considered one of the early staple digicore collectives in the early 2020s along with Bloodhounds, Helix Tears, Graveem1nd and Co-op.[6]
Rapper Nettspend was briefly affiliated with Novagang.[14][15] According to Interview magazine, he found support and community with Novagang's "group of rappers and beatmakers".[16][17] Other rappers such as Xaviersobased, Midwxst and Quinn had been members of the group.[14][1] The group also collaborated with artists such as Yungster Jack and David Shawty.[citation needed]
Novagang's merchandise includes T-shirts and beanies.[8] According to Tub magazine, the collective's "I ☠ NG" shirt was worn by Nettspend at the 2023 Novagang show in New York City.[8] The shirt has also been worn by Xaviersobased.[8]
Discography
Albums
| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| H.T.N.G. VOL 2: JUDGEMENT DAY |
|
| Zephrxd: The Hellsing Conspiracy |
|
| H.T.N.G. VOL 2.5: JUDGEMENT DAY: END OF TIMES |
|
Mixtapes
| Title | Mixtape details |
|---|---|
| H.T.N.G |
|
Singles
| Title | Single details |
|---|---|
| Purple Rain |
|
| Don't Like Cypher |
|
| 😢😢😢Fit |
|
| Propane |
|
| DOLLY🐌🐌🐌SLUG |
|
| H.D.T.F. |
|
| Sayittomyface |
|
| JELLYFISH |
|
| EXODUS1900😡😡😡FIT |
|
| I.D.W.T.B |
|
| 🥳🥳🥳AOTY |
|