Rapper Novel Turns a Page

Motown scion writes for Alicia Keys, raps over Ben Folds, and gets a second chance at stardom.
Photographed for SPIN by Jimmy Fontaine

It's a strange day when a rapper frets over what piano-pop goofball Ben Folds thinks of his music. But that's exactly what happened after Novel (born Alonzo Mario Stevenson) recorded himself rapping over Folds' plaintive 2001 ballad "The Luckiest." "I was worried he'd say, 'You fucked my shit up!' " says Novel, 27. "But Ben loved it.

Fall Out Boy, Ben Folds Teach Music on Apple Computers

Video tutorials from real-life guitar (and piano) heroes are part of the new version of popular home-studio program GarageBand.
Fall Out Boy's Patrick Stump

Ben Folds' Death Wish Granted!

Click here to read one Effing story about the singer-songwriter's funeral.
Ben Folds / Photo By Lucy Hamblin

Be careful when you play with puns, Mr. Ben Folds, you just might get buried!

SPIN.com's Best of the Week, September 29-October 5

Get spankin' new songs from Paramore, Eagles of Death Metal, Rachael Yamagata, and Butch Walker! Also: check out the week's top stories and reviews.
Rachael Yamagata, Paramore, Butch Walker, and the Eagles of Death Metal

We may not be able to see Russia from our new offices, but we here at SPIN.com have heard some sweet sounds this past week: Paramore unveiled their contribution to the Twilight soundtrack, Eagles of Death Metal let us in on their "Secret Plans," Butch Walker reminded us what "Going Home" was like, and Rachael Yamagata made our hearts beat "Faster." Check out

New Albums from Ben Folds, Mercury Rev, Murs, and More

Get SPIN's take on the 10 best and worst releases of the week!
Ben Folds

Here's a rundown of the essential albums available online and in record stores today:

SPIN.com's Best of the Week, September 22-28.

What we learned this week: Kurt Cobain was a Metallica fan. Ben Folds has plenty of free time. Weezer are talented and quirky. And more.

It's time for the Presidential debates, but here at SPIN.com we're too busy rocking out to argue about politics -- and with a week like this one, who could debate that? We've seen My Bloody Valentine's long-promised reunion, witnessed Weezer's electrifying tour-opener, and heard a sweet tune or two. Check out this week's highlights below.

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