[1] Born in 1973 in west London, to parents of Caribbean heritage,[2] Newland grew up in Shepherd's Bush, where he became a rapper and music producer who, together with friends, released a Drum n' Bass white label.
His most recent novel, A River Called Time was published in 2021 to generally positive critical attention, with Kirkus stating: "This is an ambitiously imagined book that, by removing the European lens on African cultures, creates a new reality that allows us to question how we view our own.
"[4] Adam Roberts concluded that "no one can doubt the sheer energy and verve of Newland's vision",[5] while Publishers Weekly said: "This is sure to please fans of thought-provoking speculative fiction.
"[6] In July 2022, A River Called Time was announced on the shortlist of the Arthur C. Clarke Award (alongside books by Kazuo Ishiguro, Harry Josephine Giles, Arkady Martine, Mercurio D. Rivera and Aliya Whiteley).
[8] His subsequent productions include Mother's Day (2002), B is for Black (2003), Whistling Maggie (2005), Sweet Yam Kisses (2006), White Open Spaces – A Question of Courage (2006), and Look to the Sky (2011).