It's been an exciting few months for Novelist from releasing his debut album 'Novelist Guy' to being nominated for the Hyundai Mercury Prize and working on networking events with young creatives. We recently sat down with Novelist and his brother Prem to talk about grime in the media, how the industry is changing and the influences that have inspired his album. Novelist has been described by The Guardian as one of grimes brightest young hopes, one of a clutch of artists in his early 20s releasing key grime projects this year, and yet simultaneously a real maverick. His new album 'Novelist Guy', mastered by Abbey Road's Alex Gordon and partly mixed by Gordon Davidson is unapologetically out-spoken while maintaining a mature and playful energy throughout.

The album is entirely self-written, self-produced and has been released on his own label. Clash Magazine describes it as "a sonic journey, in which the listener travels back in time to experience the sounds of the DIY grime generation and then to the present to witness Novelist's innovation, the south Londoner's debut album is also a political statement. In 'Afro Pick' he claims I do what I do for the young youth from back in the day when I ran for the mayor and in 'Stop Killing The Mandem' he includes an audio sample in which he explains all lives matter but, right now, people are perpetrating against black people. Worldwide". The Mercury Prize nominee will be hosting an exclusive Next Generation event on Tuesday 14th August at The National Portrait Gallery. The after-hours event will give artists and young creatives the chance to meet and network with Novelist and get the opportunity to see two exhibitions: The BP Portrait Award and Michael Jackson: On The Wall, as well as create art, enjoy DJ's and take part in competitions. Novelist will be joined by the amazing artist Olivia Odiwe, whose artwork of hip hop musicians reflects current street and pop-culture. Here is an illustration she created of Novelist.

Find out more about the Next generation event here.