Karl Nova: blending hip hop, poetry, and education

An independent artist who has carved out his own path, Nova is best known for blending the worlds of hip hop and poetry in a way that is both accessible and inspiring. His debut book Rhythm and Poetry won the prestigious CLiPPA poetry prize in 2018, and in 2020, he became the first hip hop artist and poet to receive the Ruth Rendell Award for his contribution to literacy.

Speaking to Today Radio, Nova reflected on how his journey began. Introduced to hip hop at a young age by an older cousin who not only played music but also taught him about the culture behind it, he quickly understood that hip hop was more than beats and rhymes, it was poetry, history, knowledge, and self-expression.

“For me, hip hop came first, then poetry followed”, Nova explained. “I realised early that the best rappers were poetic, and that spoken word was part of the same tradition.” His work as an educator grew naturally from this foundation, driven by the same energy he brings to his performances. Whether recording, writing, performing, or running workshops, Nova’s approach is always about making connections.

Nova also spoke about the transformative power of spoken word performances, describing the impact of experiencing poetry live for the first time and how it led him to develop material specifically for that space. “There’s nothing like it when a great poet steps up and just gives it to you straight”, he said. “The way it hits you is different. It slows everything down and makes you listen.”

His work now moves easily between the stage and the page. “A lot of spoken word poets feel their work will lose power when it's written down, but I’ve found you can keep the energy if you are thoughtful about how you put it on the page”, he points out.

With performances around the world, from Mongolia, South Africa to Luxembourg, Nova’s mission remains consistent: to demystify poetry, particularly for young audiences. “When I visit schools, students often tell me they find poetry boring, but they love rap. I show them that rap stands for ‘rhythm and poetry’ and that the two are deeply connected. When they realise they can talk about their own lives through poetry, it changes everything.”

Karl Nova will be back in Luxembourg from 12 May, visiting Saint George’s International School for a week of workshops and performances. He also hinted at a possible drop-in visit to the Today Radio studios during his stay.

Before wrapping up, Nova performed a piece called Poetry?, a powerful reflection on how discovering the lyrical force of hip hop opened his world to creativity and expression. It was a fitting reminder of his gift for blending rhythm and poetry in a way that resonates right here, right now. Get the full interview below.