Valee and MVW on Valeedation
The 14-song project hits the head on the nail for an unconventional, idiosyncratic collaboration album.
Photo by Moshpxt
In October, rapper Valee and producer Michael Vincent Waller, also known as MVW, released their joint album, Valeedation. MVW exclusively produced the album, and comprises features with Zelooperz, Tony Shhnow, Pink Siifu, and Bbyafricka.
Although he’s considered an “underground” rapper, Valee arguably created a new flow in the rap and hip-hop scenes often imitated by other rappers. That signature flow and cadence are displayed in Valeedation. His satiated voice raps on the top of the beat, making every song distinctive. MVW assured that each beat complimented Valee’s voice for an unorthodox sound combining old-school hip-hop and modern rap. Valee and MVW spoke with 1202 MAGAZINE to discuss their co-working process, how the album came to be, and where they want to go from here.
How did your collaboration come to be?
Valee: Me and MVW met a couple of years ago. I really just enjoyed his production. It was a new sound to me because the instruments he used didn’t sound like your traditional beats or production going on every day. You get the feel of being somewhere where actual musical equipment is being used sometimes when you listen to the production. I really enjoyed making these songs. Every time I record, it ends being two, three, or even up to four songs at a time. There was a nice feel to it.
What was the creative process behind Valeedation?
Valee: It was very organic. It started off with one session and I would end up doing three or four songs. It would be a certain feel. I would chase that feeling for another two or three sessions. We’d actually end up having enough songs for a project to pick from.
MVW: I felt like there was an understated dialogue between what kinds of sounds we were working with and some of the flows and different textures that he would iterate on in those different mini packs that we developed over the months. They would breathe and take on new life as I revisited them. We would sculpt them into what would be album material, whether that be adding features or adding post-production elements like cellos and flutes. We added character and let things breathe with space and time through collaboration. We let it develop on its own without actually having to dialogue specifically about every song and every decision.
Were you inspired by past sounds, or was Valeedation open for experimentation?
Valee: I always strive to try something new. I listen to each and every individual beat. Sometimes, I won’t even listen to the radio or play any music if I know I’m about to record that day because I want a fresh headspace with fresh doubles entendres and fresh things to say.
MVW: Listening to his lyrics, I think this goes with all of his work. You have to listen to it multiple times to really remember where you are in the song at different places, and it kind of washes on you like the way paint would be applied.
How did you choose the features on the album?
Valee: I enjoy the way Tony Shhnow raps. He’s got a motivational way of rapping. When I listen to him, he can take you back to the drawing board. I like his flows. Working with Tony was an honor to me.
MVW: I work with Zelooperz a lot, with and without Valee. They have their own body of work together that they’ve done on their own. The same goes with Pink Siifu. It was playing off of some of the dialogues that they already had established and seeing how it could be woven into this project. For those artists, they really show what the next generation of underground is innovating for the future.
What sparked your love for music?
Valee: I started making music about 10 years ago in my old place. I was really just having a nice riff over my head and having nothing to do every day. I chose to get music equipment, make beats, and record myself to figure out how I wanted to sound and present to people. Fast forward to now; it’s great working with people like MVW and knocking projects out. Hearing people in public or strangers come up to you and repeat your lines in songs — it’s great when they remember who you are and when you make stuff. It does creep back up on you. It stays with you even if you didn’t like it in the beginning.
MVW: I started playing music with my grandma. She was a self-taught pianist and didn’t really read music but just played for herself around the house. That inspired me to compose and play piano. That is my background in the composing realm. I took that into hip-hop around 2020 and tried to see how I could channel that same chill, minimal, and introspective textures into trap music and see what could come from it. It was really an experiment that empowered me to become more passionate about it. When I first worked with Valee, I realized that the delivery and articulation in his voice and in the lyrics were a perfect fit.
What’s next after Valeedation?
Valee: We always work and strive as if the sky’s the limit, which it is. I’m looking forward to making those songs and those hits that are award-winners. I’m looking forward to it all. The next project is going to be wonderful. All of these projects will be wonderful. I know it’s gonna be great.
MVW: I echo that sentiment. The best part is making art, enjoying the process, and learning from it. When you do that, you don’t have to worry. Everything kind of takes care of itself: the reception, where it’s going to fit into the culture, or how it’ll change over time. Those are things you can’t predict, but you just have to trust the process and be happy and grateful that you’re able to enjoy doing something while you’re making it.
