Avg Rating: 
3.9 ( 31 total votes )
DJBooth’s favorite singer/producer/modern day Rennaissance man Novel has been playing with one hand tied behind his back, but you wouldn’t know it to look at his résumé (Take Over, Call Me, etc. etc. etc.). So now that he’s finally free from a restrictive deal with Capitol Records, I can only image the output we’ll be hearing. Actually, thanks to his new track Switch It Up, I don’t have to imagine at all. Built around a supremely smooth, feel-good beat from Novel with summertime jam written all over it, vocally Switch It Up finds Novel walking the fine line between rapping and singing with skill, waxing philosophic about the need for artists to start putting their art above their bank accounts. Imagine that. As if that wasn’t enough, newcomer Algebra plays the cherry to the track’s vocal sundae with some superb back-up vocals. For visual accompaniment, check out the recently released video for Switch It Up, directed by (who else?) Novel himself. And of course keep it locked for more details on the release of his upcoming project Caligraphy, set to drop soon.
This song first appeared on the
R&B / Pop Chart
on May 31, 2010
Listen to More: Novel Written by Nathan S.
More From Novel
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Member Reviews and Ratings
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DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 11684 |
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One of the biggest problems, I believe, in the music industry today is inconsistency. So many artists have so much talent, but it seems they don't like to use their talents all the time. For every 10 records released there only seems to be true quality in 2 or 3. For Novel, lets just say he is batting above .900.
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| Posted on May 24, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 394 |
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Really like the back-up vocals on this one. Novel should create some hype with this song. I'll roll with it.
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| Posted on May 24, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 1217 |
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When it comes to artist like Novel, I always know that I am in for a real treat before I even play the song. "Switch It Up" from a mainstream perspective would probably sound boring, but when you actually listen to the words and focus on what the man is saying, the song is really anything but. I like how Algebra's background vocals were incorporated into the song and the instrumentals in the production were nice as well.
When it comes to rapping, I think Novel has it in the bag. His vocals when singing are spectacular, so add the two and you have yourself a... |
| Posted on May 24, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 2919 |
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This is probably my favourite Novel song I have heard this year, loving the laid back vibe and Novel+Algebra just create a feel good drag that you take in and don't wanna let out.
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| Posted on May 24, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 736 |
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algebra did a great job on the back up vocals. novel dropped some lyrical bombs too
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| Posted on May 24, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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good
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| Posted on May 24, 2010 |
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This is dope as expected, but I would have REALLY liked to hear a Joell Ortiz feature on this. Just seems like a natural fit. Nice introduction to Algebra.
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| Posted on May 24, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 639 |
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Man Novel is seriously talented!!
Why hasn't this guy blown up yet?? This music industry is going down the drain!! Solid production, good verses, but the hook steals the show here!! Take Over is still my favorite Novel track though.... |
| Posted on May 24, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 2065 |
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Novel, just like The Roots do not disapoint. Novel did it way before Drake in terms of being doubly talented with respect to his singing and rapping, plus Novel knows how to comppose and produce a track.
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| Posted on May 24, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 2476 |
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Surprise, surprise, another f**king beautiful song from Novel. How beautiful? I had to swear to describe it. And I have to give it up, although I've given him a hard time before, his rap skills are definitely improving. All that time hanging out with Ortiz obviously paid off.
And can we get some more from Algerba? I'm intrigued.
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| Posted on May 24, 2010 |
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| Posted on May 24, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 225 |
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ill just go along
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| Posted on May 24, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 288 |
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Yes, I would say he’s batting above 900 too Z. But I love the production on this track.
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| Posted on May 24, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 4 |
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The track is very creative but seems simply put together. But hey! when your this talented; creativity makes it all look easy but thats not to take away from his art. The sample from "U do it for me" by Algebra is one of the good attributes of the song. Algebra/Novel came correct adding colorful vocals that float into your ears creating a relief from Novel's lyrical skills at attacking the issue of cliche artist. "Swith it up" is the beginning of that refreshing style we've long been loyal to in hiphop. Novel Modernized the 90's sound while at the same time not forgetting to pay homage (indirectly) to the hiphop culture that hatched him musically. Batting above .900?? doesn't matter, dude is knockin'em out of the park left & right!! FreeAgent..F*ck it, I'd sign him.
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| Posted on May 24, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 613 |
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Music for your ears right here! Flow could've been a little bit better imo...
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| Posted on May 24, 2010 |
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lets go!
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| Posted on May 24, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 553 |
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I'm not a big fan of Novel. His music just bores me. I don't hate this song though so I gave it 3 stars.
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| Posted on May 24, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 877 |
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Novel is a talented dude. Singing, rapping, producing, what else? This one was ok but not great.
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| Posted on May 24, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 455 |
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When you're signed, you rarely think for yourself, its basically pop. Most people are better independent, like Lupe or Drake. Novel let his creativity flow and it's good for him. Production was bomb.
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| Posted on May 25, 2010 |
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Tastemaker |
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yeah @planb a joell verse certainly wouldnt have gone astray on this track. im not too fussed though as algebra provides a nice guest. novel as always wins me over with his singing, rapping and work behind the boards. he is a true powerhouse of the game.
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| Posted on May 25, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 103 |
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A REAL emcee/vocalist/producer addressing REAL topics. Doesn't get much better, artists take notes.
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| Posted on May 25, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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Now I'm a huge novel fan, but this one just isn't doing it for me
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| Posted on May 26, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 1227 |
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Novel can spit better than most rappers, it’s about time he really blows up.
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| Posted on May 30, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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BEAST
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| Posted on May 30, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 484 |
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putting this in my mp3 player right now
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| Posted on May 31, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 4267 |
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The interesting thing of having a song made of both genders is the fact that they can have their way with wonderful harmonies, something Novel and Algebra have managed to accomplished in this song effortlessly. Not to forget, it’s the statement Novel kickin' on the plasticness of the hip-hop scene that elevate this song’s already awesome style to a higher ground. So good you can't just listen to it once.
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| Posted on May 31, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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Anything with Algebra is a hit!!
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| Posted on Jun 03, 2010 |
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| Posted on Jun 06, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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nice
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| Posted on Jun 08, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 861 |
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not my type of music
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| Posted on Jun 10, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
Hot as Fire baby.lol.. Nah but I luv his music... Since way back.. Way Back
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| Posted on Jun 22, 2010 |
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| Posted on Jun 24, 2010 |
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