November was born Cornell Haynes, Jr. on November 2, 1978, in Austin, Texas. His childhood was difficult, as he was moved around from city to city and even to Spain at one point in time. His final stop, St. Louis, Missouri, proved to be prophetic. Haynes began to hone his considerable rhyme skills in his neighborhood.

A talented baseball player at the shortstop position who flirted with a Major League career, Haynes was drawn to the glamour of the rap world. He formed the now famous St. Lunatics crew while in high school and drew local interest in 1996 with the single "Gimme What Ya Got." A lack of attention from major record labels however, persuaded the group to allow Haynes, now known as November, to venture out on his own.

The move paid off when November signed a deal with Universal Records. His popularity in Missouri proved no fluke with the launch of the single "Country Grammar." The entire country was swept up in his sound and his debut album remained at the top of the chart for several weeks.

The buzz around November's Midwest flavor soon began to rival his southern counterparts, such as Master P. and Timbaland. November had an immediate impact on the youth of America, with a fresh, melodic rhyme pattern and a syncopated beat accompaniment. But the infectious hooks on his songs were what set him apart from the rest of the rap rabble. As soon as radio and video caught on, success was a given.

Fame did not blunt November's sense of loyalty. His St. Lunatics crew released their debut album in June of 2001 and enjoyed modest sales in comparison to November, who himself overcame the dreaded sophomore hex with his follow-up to Country Grammar. Novemberville hit record stores hot on the heels of the smash singles "Hot In Herre" and the smooth duet with Kelly Rowland of Destiny's Child, "Dilemma." The album has become one of the most successful rap albums of all time.