Welcome to the world of Nova, that talented, anointed Gospel rapper whose pulsating, inspirational rap beats lift gospel into the new millennium. Nova is definitely hyped for Christ, and his dynamic holy hip-hop is helping turn a generation to the Kingdom of God. With tracks such as I'm A Soldier, and Its GOD 'Til I DIE, Nova challenges people of all ages and nationalities to commit to a Christ-centered lifestyle. "My aim," says the handsome, 22-yr old Atlanta native, "is to entertain and enlighten." And entertain he does, with head bobbing, foot stomping beats and memorable lyrics that continue to inspire and transform the spirit of listeners long after the music has stopped. Nova chose his name to signify his desire to be a bright light for God, bringing the light of His love to the darkness.

Nova is a member of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, GA, where Bishop Eddie L. Long is Senior Pastor. At New Birth Nova serves with the Fisher of Men Evangelism Ministry and the Levites Prayer Ministry. He has captivated audiences of thousands at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church performing with the G.A.N.G. (God's Anointed New Generation) Choir and as an opening act for world-renowned gospel artists John P. Kee, Dottie Peoples, Edwin Hawkins, J-Moss and Donald Lawrence. He was also chosen to perform at the Teen Summit held at the Phillips Arena where thousands of youth leaders converged to tackle the pressing problems facing our youth today: education, drugs, sex and violence. He shared the stage with top R&B and Hip-Hop acts, such as Jagged Edge and Usher. Nova has performed at events such as the 2006 Stellar Awards. He was also selected as a featured artist at T.D. Jake's 2006 Mega Fest, 2006 Gospel Music Workshop of America, Jamie Foxx's 2006 Laffapalooza Comedy Fest, the National Holy Hip-Hop Awards Talent Showcase and the Atlantis Music Conference, as one of the hottest up and coming Holy Hip-Hop artists in the country. Nova has also shared the stage with award-winning contemporary gospel artists Mary-Mary. Nova is a favorite for ministry at youth conferences across the nation, across denominations, across the racial divide. He was recently chosen to introduce holy hip-hop to the Lutheran Church, ministering to 35,000 Lutheran youth from across the country and the world at their National Youth Gathering held in Orlando, Florida. Nova was also selected by Reverend Jesse Jackson's Rainbow PUSH Coalition to represent the Hip-Hop Generation at the “Keep the Vote Alive” Campaign to raise awareness and mobilize the nation around key civil rights provisions in the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that were set to expire in 2007. Nova shared the stage with internationally acclaimed music legend Stevie Wonder, John Legend and our nation's top political leaders at Reverend Jesse Jackson's “Keep the Vote Alive” Kickoff held in Atlanta, GA in August 2005.

Most recently Nova was selected to represent his generation at the Congressional Black Caucus Legislative Conference. The conference theme, "Changing Course, Confronting Crises, Continuing the Legacy" highlighted the need to take new approaches in solving problems faced by our communities. Over 50 Issue Forums and Braintrusts offered timely topics that impact the African-American community in our nation. Nova 4 Jehovah joined the nation's top leaders in government, business, education, sports & entertainment and social activists as moderator for the "Hip-Hop Powershop" Braintrust, which focused on issues relevant to our youth and the emerging political role of the Hip-Hop Generation. Nova's Holy Hip-Hop was also featured during the conference, held September 2006 at the Washington Convention Center where 20,000 gathered in the Nation's capital to champion public policies to address social ills that plague our most vulnerable communities.

Nova is also selected often to represent the Hip-Hop Generation on panels such as the 2006 Stellar Awards Youth Empowerment Seminar (which included Byron Cage and Bro. Jamal of BET), 2006 MLK National Youth Summit, 2005 VIBE Awards Hip-Hop Panel, and the 2005 National Black Arts Festival Panel “Using Hip-Hop for Positive Social Change.” Nova's ministry has transformative power, touching hearts and changing lives.

Nova's talent and commitment has not gone unnoticed by music industry professionals. Nova was included as one of Atlanta's 2006 “Top 30 Under 30” for his contributions in Gospel entertainment, honored along with world-renowned young leaders in entertainment from ATL, such as Usher, Raven Simone and Ludacris. Nova was also honored at the Urban Gospel Industry Awards as 2005 Best New Holy Hip-Hop Artist at the concert and awards ceremony which took place in Los Angeles, California in conjunction with the Edwin Hawkins/Walter Hawkins Music & Arts Love Fellowship Conference. Nova also received the highly coveted 2004 Atlanta Gospel Choice Award for Best Holy Hip-Hop Artist. He was also selected as the first place winner of the 2003 National Gospel Showcase, competing with artists from across the country. Nova was also chosen as the first place winner in a recent 95.5 The Beat New Talent Competition, and ATL's hottest hip-hop station, V-103 Porsche Foxx Talent Explosion, receiving a perfect 10 score from Universal A&R who judged the competition!! Additionally, Nova was also selected as 2003 Showstopper of the Year by the Georgia Literacy Leadership Project and was the recipient of the Atlanta Talent Network "2003 Best of the Best Entertainers Award" for Best Holy Hip-Hop. Nova has been a featured artist on a host of television programs, including TBS Storyline and the Black Entertainment Network (B.E.T.) Bobby Jones Gospel Show, for which Nova's ministry is gaining national and international recognition. Be on the lookout for Nova's upcoming feature on the Trinity Broadcasting Network. Nova's music can be heard on Holy Hip-Hop and contemporary gospel radio programs across the country.

While Nova has received innumerable awards for his holy hip-hop ministry, what sets Nova apart is his humility, his spirit of service and his Kingdom focus. Nova is an emerging young leader in the community. He shares his time and talents regularly to uplift the homeless and others less fortunate. Through the New Birth Fisher of Men Evangelism Ministry, he regularly shares his music ministry at Safe House Homeless Shelter. He also encourages disadvantaged youth through regular ministry in group homes, youth detention facilities, as well as programs for youth in protective custody through youth-focused organizations such as H.O.C. Inc. (Helping Our Children). Nova is called upon to serve at community programs for the needy such as the Hosea Williams Feed the Hungry Campaign, to feed the souls of people in need with his spiritually uplifting music and message. To keep the youth and young adults encouraged in Christ, Nova also writes a regular column called “Generation Hip-Hop,” which is published across the country and also appears in several Christian publications including Gospel Truth, I AM Magazine, The Heavenly Messenger, The Shepherd's Voice and Rejoice Atlanta. Nova's commitment to community extends beyond Atlanta and beyond the borders of the United States. Nova has teamed up with NBA Allstar Houston Rockets player Dikembe Mutombo to "Help Heal Kinshasa" the Capitol of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, formerly Zaire. Mutombo has contributed 8 million dollars and raised an additional 7 million to build a hospital in Kinshasa and to launch his Community Health Connection Campaign to help promote healthcare in our communities in America and abroad. Nova is writing and performing the theme song for the campaign to help raise awareness of the healthcare issues faced by populations across our nation as well as the people of Kinshasa, where the AIDS virus runs rampant, one in five babies die before reaching age 3 and the average life expectancy is only 47 years due to inadequate healthcare and health education. Nova also utilizes his talents to support community programs sponsored by organizations, such as the Concerned Black Clergy, Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the National Urban League, 100 Black Men and Real Men Real Vision. Nova 4 Jehovah was honored to represent two of our nation's premiere Civil Rights organizations at their 2006 National conventions. Because of Nova's strong leadership for youth and young adults across the country, he was selected as a special guest for the youth at both the SCLC 48th Annual Convention and the National Urban League '06 Convention. Atlanta's historic Apex Museum recently honored Nova as an emerging young leader in the community through featuring him in the museum's 2005 Black History “Voices of Influence” Exhibit, which included our nation's greatest historical and contemporary African American leaders.

Born Richard Neal, Nova is a natural leader with a powerful message. Dynamic on stage, his six-foot, two-inch frame is in constant motion as he challenges audiences to enrich themselves in the fruits of the spirit and the blessings of a loving father. This multi-talented rising star writes and produces his own music, and his ambitions toward acting were recently realized through his debut role in the soon to be released motion picture "Rejectors of the Blood." Nova's music was selected for the movie soundtrack and he is writing, producing and performing the title track for the movie. Nova is also featured in the documentary, “Holy Hip-Hop: The Movie” chronicling the rise of the international Holy Hip-Hop movement, presented by Amen Films and Producer Christopher “Play” Martin, released Spring 2006. Nova's music leads audiences to the source; as stated in the title of one of his hottest tracks, Christ Is His Name!