Tell us about yourself:
My name is Valdez and I’m from Washington DC. I love music because it’s limitless, there’s always new sounds to discover. Making a new song is one of the most exciting things in the world, because you get to start with a blank slate. You ask yourself “what do I want the production to sound like? How am I going to flow over it? What am I trying to say?” The best part is, there’s no right answer. The final version of the song may not be for everyone, but at least it’s yours.
What separates me as an artist is that I mix commercial and conscious music. Instead of being generic, I have a variety of song topics, while still making the music accessible to the average listener. I feel a responsibility to show the generation after me that you don’t have to always talk about money and sex to be a popular artist.
There’s nothing wrong with those types of songs, but it’s good to have balance. It’s okay to talk about how you’re feeling, admit your vulnerabilities, and/or give your take on world events. I take inspiration from J. Cole in the sense that I’m lyrical, but not to the point where the average listener will be turned off. Since I aspire to be at the top of the game commercially, I need as many people to be tuned in as possible.
In five years, I see myself on a sold-out tour with Infinite Vibe, a rap group/collective that I’m in with my friends. We already have songs that could be hits if they’re promoted correctly, like “Under Pressure” or “9ine 2 Five.” As far as my solo career, I should be at least one full-length album in by then. Right now, I’m about to release my first independent project, an EP titled “Within Arms Reach.” “I’m Him,” the promotional single, is an example of my progressive content. It’s a confident and boastful song, but not in a tough-guy sort of way that we’ve seen plenty of times in rap. That’s because I make music from a genuine place, and I’d rather give you my authentic self instead of posturing.
I bring passion and a fresh perspective to the music game. I’m not rapping to get out of the streets or out of poverty, because I don’t come from that background. My friends and I rap out of the love for the art and the desire to turn rap into a career. I talk about things in my songs that can relate to the average citizen, like graduating college and being an ambitious young person. On the other hand, I can also talk about heavy topics, like police brutality. I don’t discuss social issues in music to be preachy, rather simply to add my take to the public discourse. I believe it’s important for everyone to educate themselves and use their voice.
I want to be remembered as a balanced artist, someone who could top the charts while also having substance. I view this as a “yin and yang” concept, because both aspects are vital. Sometimes when you listen to music, you just want to chill and catch a vibe. Other times, though, it might be gratifying to hear the artist talk about something important that you relate to. When someone hits both aspects at a high level, they enter the elite category. If they stay at a high level for multiple years, then they start entering the “GOAT” conversations. Over the next 10-15 years, I will do everything in my power to throw my name in the mix with the greats.
