Gifted Guy - Eddie Valero

Image - Eddie Valero “Gifted Guy”

I’m ready for a new rap renaissance. Lately, I’ve found myself going back and listening through my playlists I know like the back of my hand, and why? Because of the Internet, music is the most accessible it’s ever been; why am I listening to “Kiss Of Death” once a day? Jadakiss is Top 3, but I’m not just looking for the songs or the albums that’ll move me, I want the movements. I want the people/places/things (nouns, my guy) that I think about when I get out of bed. The people/places/things I would spend my time paying attention to, even spend time paying my money.

“Closest thing to Jesus Christ, rockin’ ice, I’m a Gifted Guy…”

Memphis has it again, this time with Eddie Valero stepping out onto the small screen for his single, “Gifted Guy”, a southern superhero’s pimp-walk through the story of one of Tennessee’s underground stars. With his black peacoat and an orchestra of strings and soldiers, Valero uses his natural confidence to command attention and bring people into his world. Nights where he “use to cook cold cuts on the steaming iron,” growing up and how “tables turn, bridges burn”, and how we’re respecting ourselves going forward, or in Valero’s words, “gettin’ bougie now.”

With the track, we get the music video, with all of the scenes looking like one of those mob movies à la American Gangster. Eddie embodies Frank Lucas; head of the table, fur on the coat, speaks like the boss, and this video has a great sense of that. In every shot Valero’s in, he’s either the only subject or the scenes and lighting is set to make it seem like he’s the only subject. Boss. Head Honcho. Any word you want to use, Valero is it. I’ve always been ready to find the person who’s going to carry the rap torch for me. Who’s that person that I’m going to keep going back to when they drop? Who’s movement can I believe in?

I don’t think there’s a definite answer, but you have to be willing to listen to the songs, support the artist, AND support the movement behind them. These sort of feelings are crucial to the viability of the music industry, and for the viability of independent artists as a whole, in long term. Ok, maybe I’m not looking for something brand spanking new, but especially nowadays with everybody making music, I want something that excites me. Eddie Valero excites me.

Just make sure you use club soda on that Alpaca carpet.

Watch the Video for Eddie Valero’s “Gifted Guy”

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