Graph Nobel - Life and Career

Life and Career

Nobel, born in Toronto to Trinidadian parents, was exposed to the musical styles of parang and calypso and soca of the Trindadian culture, as well as reggae music. Nobel began theatre at a young age allowing her an early introduction to the arts. She discovered hip hop in her teenage years, which inspired her to explore her creative abilities as an artist. Nobel, upon reflection of her growth as an artist, cites the video for “Bonita Applebum” by a Tribe Called Quest as a muse for such creative possibilities. Writing her first songs at the age of 14, Nobel would begin to perform studio recordings 3 years later under the Canadian producer 2Rude.

Nobel’s hip-hop inspired ambition of becoming an emcee led her to move to New York, in hopes of immersing herself in the city’s hip hop scene. After returning from New York, she continued to explore new genres and push creative boundaries. However, Nobel’s passion to explore new sounds conflicted with the interests of her female hip-hop group, Gravity, causing the group to split on creative differences. Nobel would later find the multi-instrumentalist, producer Martin "Doc" McKinney, producer of Esthero, Res, Sting, Hawksley Workman, and The Weeknd (Nobel would later write songs and record with Esthero, Hawksley and extensively with Res).

Nobel became part of Black Corners collective, a collection of artists who chose a “progressive approach to music”, avoiding the boundaries of a single genre. Together, Nobel and Doc experimented with various genres including rock, hip-hop and electronica. In the process, Nobel developed a distinct sound, incorporating atmospheric guitars, hip-hop beats, heavy bass lines, samples, string arrangements and innovative programming.

Nobel continued to work with Doc until 2006. In 2007, she made recordings with labels Aftermath (Dr. Dre, Che Vicious, Mark Batson) and BME (Lil Jon). In May 2008, Nobel became the third member of the electro rap group Idle Warship alongside (Talib Kweli and Res) releasing their "Party Robot" mixtape (October 2009). Nobel has also worked with Muja Messiah, Simon Wilcox, Pharrell Williams, N.E.R.D.,The Neptunes,The Clipse, Questlove, Chantal Kraviazuck, Kardinal Official.

Notable collaborations include recordings with:"Wikked Lil Grrrls" lead single from Esthero's "Wikked Lil Grrls" album featured in the film Miss Congeniality2 also on television shows Boston Legal, Las Vegas and in commercial spots for Sex in the City and Desperate Housewives. Hawksley Workman's “Smoke Baby” from Lover/Fighter, G. Love on “Love” on War Child’s Peace Songs, Artists For War Child with fellow Canadians Jully Black, Esthero & Keshia Chante on “Life” from Much Music’s Much Dance 2004 compilation and BrassMunk, Tone Mason, and G. Stokes on “The Throwback”. Nobel has also performed on stage with artists The Roots, Sam Roberts, Cody Chesnutt, Metric, Ron Sexsmith.

In 2002, Nobel received CBC’s Galaxie Rising Stars Award. She has also penned the theme song for the television show Guinevere Jones (YTV) and a Target Store back to school campaign.