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Novagang (stylized in uppercase) is an American hip-hop collective formed in 2018 by rapper and record producer Prblm. The group’s name was a portmanteau between his alias “Nova” and “gang”.

Novagang was considered one of the early staple digicore collectives in the early 2020s along with Bloodhounds, Helix Tears, Graveem1nd and Co-op. Notable members included Xaviersobased, Midwxst, Kuru, Angelus, Stef, Exodus1900, Kasper Gem, Zootzie, Gv1nn, Strgurrl and Quinn. Rapper Nettspend was a brief affiliate.

Novagang was formed by rapper and producer Prblm between 2018-2019, the group’s name was a portmanteau between his alias “Nova” and “gang”.^[1] According to New York magazine The Fader, artist Stef co-managed Novagang with Prblm.^[1] Stef disliked the term hyperpop to categorize the collective as the group had “a very eclectic sound”.^[1] The Fader also described the group as an “Internet collective“.^[2][3]

According to Rolling Stone magazine, Novagang “feature artists of variously different styles and sounds, but find community with each other in their shared rejection of stylistic limits.”^[4] In an interview with Dazed magazine, rapper Midwxst stated, “Everyone in helix tears and NOVAGANG” were performing with “different styles, sounds, aesthetics and lives, but having a group of musically gifted people allows us to make music without boundaries.”^[5] The collective has been associated with the genres hyperpop and digicore.^[5][6]

In 2022, the group released their debut collaborative mixtape H.T.N.G.^[1] On August 6, 2023, they released a sequel in the form of H.T.N.G. VOL 2: JUDGEMENT DAY.^[1][2] On August 19, they performed a sold out show in New York City headlined by Osquinn and Xaviersobased.^[1][7][8] Other acts at the event included Exodus1900, Kasper Gem, Zootzie, Gv1nn and Strgurrl.^[1][9]

Writing for The Fader, music journalist Jordan Darville noted that “Prblm under the dj yzma alias, deconstructs modern music’s obsession with pop-punk and so-called ‘emo rap‘ into shards of spacious and compelling sound art.”^[1] Darville added that Novagang provided a “freewheeling outsider’s perspective to the world of experimental rap“.^[1] In 2025, he stated, “If you organized a gig with some of the guest artists from their discography […] it would be rap’s hottest ticket.”^[2]

Notable members of the collective include Kuru,^[10] Angelus,^[11] Stef,^[1] Midwxst, Xaviersobased, Quinn, Exodus1900, Kasper Gem, Zootzie, Gv1nn and Strgurrl.^[1]

Prblm (born 2002) is a Haitian-American rapper and record producer.^[2] They founded the collective Novagang in 2018.^[2] They have produced songs and collaborated with artists such as Edward Skeletrix.^[2] Music critic Jordan Darville, writing for The Fader, compared their sound to hitting as hard as Working on Dying or showcasing “heart” like Pi’erre Bourne.^[2] Darville added that “prblm frequently sounded one step ahead of their contemporaries” citing songs such as “Monkey Quest Freestyle” as drawing from the “jerk revival“.^[2]

Kuru (born November 14, 2005) is an American rapper from Maryland, United States.^[12] They^[a] are a member of digicore collectives such as Novagang, Helix Tears and graveem1nd.^[13] They have been described as a “digicore producer” by Pitchfork.^[13] In 2024, Kuru released their debut studio album re:wired with production credits from artists such as Twikipedia.^[13]

Lieu (stylized in lowercase) (born August 26, 2007) is an American rapper from Livonia, Michigan.^{[citation needed]} In 2021, his song “Threat” gained popularity online through being “bypassed” into the online game Roblox.^[14] According to the New York Times, the song would be recognized by musician Phoebe Bridgers on Twitter and in the underground music scene.^[14] Music journalist Kieran Press-Reynolds described the song as “being inside a digital dimension where every bass thud and synth shake is an enemy you’re blowing past, every vocal stutter and short-circuited squeak a new obstacle to avoid.”^[14]

Artist Angelus who is a member of the collective described their sound as “NOVA style”, which is “loud, nightcored, and all over the place but it makes sense in the end”.^[11] Novagang has been considered one of the early staple digicore collectives in the early 2020s along with Bloodhounds, Helix Tears, Graveem1nd and Co-op.^[6]

Rapper Nettspend was briefly affiliated with Novagang.^[15][16] According to Interview magazine, he found support and community with Novagang’s “group of rappers and beatmakers”.^[17][18] Other rappers such as Xaviersobased, Midwxst and Quinn had been members of the group.^[15][1] The group also collaborated with artists such as Yungster Jack and David Shawty.^{[citation needed]}

Novagang’s merchandise includes T-shirts and beanies.^[8] According to Tub magazine, the collective’s “I ☠ NG” shirt was worn by Nettspend at the 2023 Novagang show in New York City.^[8] The shirt has also been worn by Xaviersobased.^[8]

• Novagang on SoundCloud