Chicago rapper Valee and classical music composer-turned-Hip Hop producer MVW have been proving their chemistry is effortless ever since the release of the latter’s 2021 debut album CLASSIC$, on which Valee appears on four of its eight tracks. Fast forward a couple of years and the duo have finally put together a collaborative body of work in the form of VALEEDATION,
A zany project that melds their two worlds in a whimsical and memorable fashion, Valee’s brand of humble brags and casual flexes are complemented by MVW’s dynamic production throughout the 14 tracks, marrying pristine classical instrumentation with pulsating 808s and hi-hats.
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The Tony Shhnow-assisted “Yo Yo” serves as a stand out record with its woozy, psychedelic production that is complemented by a flawless verse from Shhnow sandwiched between an easygoing and entrenching hook from Valee.
“Shrimp Fried Rice” keeps the trend going but this time with Valee riding solo. Getting his stunt on, he flaunts his extravagant lifestyle with a nonchalant coolness: “In Louis store like employee, $1200 on one product/ Bathing Ape Crew neck on me, $1200 on one product/ Louis Vuitton White Tee on me, $1200 on one product.”
The album’s best produced record is probably “Pistacchio,” which sounds just as futuristic as it does retro. Channelling what can best be described as vaporwave meets trap, the song leaves you feeling like you’re traveling through time and space in a DeLorean. Guest star ZelooperZ steals the show with what could be the funniest line on the entire project: “Everytime I text Valee, it’s morse code.”
Taking a slight dip as reaches its second half, VALEEDATION stumbles at times due to a lack in consistency.“Tailor Swift” feels outclassed compared to other cuts, despite being one of the lead singles, and then the highs of the album aren’t really reached again until the grand finale, “Ain’t Exotic,” which like “Pistacchio,” toes the line between past and present, merging a modern remix with funky, disco-inspired production.
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Overall though, as Valee’s fourth project in two years VALEEDATION is a solid collab with MVW, adding to the Chicago rapper’s impressive recent run. Dually, it’s a showcase for MVW’s sheer imagination as a producer, with each beat being unique in its own and genre-blending way.
RELEASE DATE: October 20, 2023
RECORD LABEL: MVW Productions/Fake Shore Drive
Listen to VALEEDATION below:
