Novellering

Novellering is a term used to describe a phenomenon where a rapper or musician is praised excessively for their lyrical skills, often resulting in a proportionally exaggerated reaction from the audience and critics. This can occur when an artist is discovered or emerges from a relatively unknown background, leading to a surge in popularity and widespread acclaim.

The term is derived from a 2013 interview with American rapper Drake, who mentioned "Novellering" as a process where he and his colleagues would be overly praised by record labels and the media for their lyrical contributions. However, over time, the term has taken on a broader meaning, encompassing the public's reaction to notable lyrical achievements.

Novellering can take many forms, including an artist's debut album receiving widespread critical acclaim upon release, or a single verse from an established artist being deified as a masterpiece. The effects of novellering can manifest in the public's overexuberance towards the artist in question, including excessive social media engagement, critical acclaim, and commercial success.

Notable examples of novellering include the initial acclaim for Kendrick Lamar's "Good Kid, M.A.A.D City" in 2012 and J. Cole's "Born Sinner" in 2013. In both cases, the response to the albums far exceeded industry expectations, leading to intense media coverage and categorizing the releases as examples of successful novellering.

Critics argue that novellering often leads to inflated expectations and reinforces the notion that carrying 16 bars is a worthwhile or exceptional accomplishment. While some view novellering as a breath of fresh air, others see it as evidence of societal and critical oversensitivity.