Nova Leigh Paholek (born 22 July 1988), known professionally as Nova Rockafeller, is a Canadian independent rapper, singer, songwriter, and music video director.
Early life Rockafeller was born in Edmonton, and raised in Jamaica; living there from the ages of 9 to 14 after her family started a water sports business. She also briefly lived in Toronto and New York City.Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: As a teen, she dropped out of high school and began rapping during a difficult period of her life split between sleeping at the Edmonton Youth Emergency Shelter and living in a series of group homes. She was inspired to start rapping after exploring the online battle rap forums by her then boyfriend.
Career Rockafeller grew up surrounded by music as her father and her brother, Terry Paholek, were heavily involved with the Edmonton music scene and had their own home studio. She began rapping at the age of 15 when she was living in a group home. The moniker 'Nova Rockafeller' was given to her one night during a party with other rappers, who decided she needed a new name.
In 2011, Rockafeller released her debut album Insufficient Funds, which chronicled six months of her life. In 2012, Rockafeller had her song 'call me (BAT MAN) 347-574-7192' posted on the front of The Pirate Bay during its period as 'The Promo Bay'; the song was available as a free download.
Mercury Records took notice of her, so Rockafeller moved to New York and signed with them. The label would later become Island Records, and, in turn Def Jam. Her relationship with Def Jam ended when the company dropped her without warning after three and a half years. She found out when her landlord said that the company would no longer pay her rent. Prior to the label dropping her, Rockafeller had been working on an album named Accidentally Gangster, which was cancelled.
In 2015, during her time with Def Jam, Rockafeller began to break out into the mainstream with her single "Made in Gold", which reached the Top 20 on Sirius Top Hits. The single was featured in teen comedy film The Duff.Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: Her music has also been featured on Siesta Keys, Dancing with the Stars, and Bad Girls Club. That year, she toured with Set it Off and All Time Low, as well as performed at SXSW, Riot Fest,https://exclaim.ca/music/article/torontos_riot_fest_adds_weeer_prodigy_cancer_bats and the Gathering of the Juggalos. Since her appearance at the Gathering, Rockafeller has been associated with the Insane Clown Posse and the Juggalo movement. She also performed at Violent J's first solo charity tour with Lil Eazy-E.
In 2021, Rockafeller released "Hey You", her first solo single in over 2 years to tease her newest album Scared of Heights. The video received over 250,000 views within a single day.
Side projects In 2012, Rockafeller launched her line of jewellery 'Toys on Chains'.Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine:
Personal life Relationships In 2017, Rockafeller began dating Canadian rapper Tom MacDonald, known for his “MAGA rap”.https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/the-right-wing-troll-rappers-are-coming-1341251/ Together, they started the band GFBF and began writing music. When MacDonald wrote 'Dear Rappers' and gained prominence, Rockafeller poured herself into supporting him. She shot and directed all of his music videos after 2017, created his website and was featured on most of his albums, and helped him navigate the music industry away from the pitfalls she experienced.
Influences Rockafeller has cited some of her influences as Good Charlotte, Blink-182, Fugees, A Tribe Called Quest, Damian Marley, Weezer, Busta Rhymes, Outkast, Bright Eyes, Nirvana, Die Antwoord, and Meg Myers.
Discography Studio albums + List of studio albums, with selected details Title Album details Insufficient Funds Released: 21 September 2011 Labels: Self-released Formats: CD, digital download Insufficient Funds + Released: 2019 Labels: Self-released Formats: CD Scared of Heights Released: 15 January 2021 Labels: Boardwalk Records Formats: CD, digital downloadAs Far as the Stars Released: 9 April 2021 Labels: Self-released Formats: CDYesterday Released: 18 October 2024 Labels: Self-released Formats: CDWild Ones Released: 18 October 2024 Labels: Self-released Formats: CD
EPs Title EP details Problemchild Released: 1 October 2014 Labels: Boardwalk Formats: Digital download N.O.V.A. Released: 23 December 2015 Labels: Boardwalk Formats: Digital download AMPT Released: 7 June 2019 Labels: Boardwalk Formats: CD, digital download
Singles "1990s" (2014) "Made in Gold" (2015) "MI YARD" (2016) "Wishing Well" (2018) "Jesus on My Neck" (2018) "Genghis Khan" (2018) "Hey You" (2021) "Gang Gang (feat. Tom MacDonald)" (2021) "Did Your Best" (2021) "Lost Girls" (2023)
With Tom MacDonald "Sober" (2020), with Madchild, ft. Nova Rockafeller "Bad News" (2020), with Madchild, ft. Nova Rockafeller "Gang Gang" (2021) "No Good Bastards" (2021), with Nova Rockafeller & Brandon Hart "Church" (2021), with Brandon Hart ft. Nova Rockafeller "Heart Emojis" (2021), with Brandon Hart ft. Nova Rockafeller "In God We Trust" (2022), with Adam Calhoun, Struggle Jennings, & Nova Rockafeller "Chrome" (2023), with Adam Calhoun & Nova Rockafeller ”Goodbye Joe” (2024), Tom McDonald ft. Nova Rockafeller
With Violent J "Sick Kidz" (2016), with Violent J, ft. Young Wicked, Nova Rockafeller & Lil Eazy-E
With The Wikid One "Find Me" (2017), ft. Nova Rockafeller
With Rp Jesus "Pillz" (2017), ft. GFBF, Nova Rockafeller & Tom MacDonald
With Thrashole "You Want Her" (2018), ft. Blimes, The Buttress & Nova Rockafeller
With D-LinQuint "Superstar" (2019), ft. Nova Rockafeller, Y.I.C & Jay P
With Rachel Geek "Come Talk to Me" (2020), ft. Nova Rockafeller
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