Novelist

Rooted in South London's grime scene, Novelist, aka Kojo Kankam, established himself in his teens as an MC and producer from the Lewisham area, first noticed within the collective The Square and on local pirate radio. Active since the early 2010s, Novelist drew attention with a very stripped-down grime focused on dry rhythms, upfront bass and a direct delivery that shifts between clash energy and observations of everyday London life. Regular slots on Rinse FM and collaborations with producer Mumdance placed him in a zone where grime meets electronic experimentation, between minimal instrumentals and club-oriented formats. Alongside freestyles and mixtapes circulated online, Novelist gradually developed a more introspective approach to British rap while retaining the sonic urgency inherited from sound systems and MC sets. The release of the album "Novelist Guy" in 2018 marked a key step, with him taking on writing, production and a very pared-back aesthetic, at times close to instrumental grime. Since then Novelist has alternated solo projects, occasional collaborations on the UK scene and DJ set appearances, maintaining a constant link with independent circuits, from London clubs to niche labels.