Valete
Encyclopedia
Valete is a Portuguese language
political hip hop
artist named Keidje Lima that has enjoyed some critical success in his home country of Portugal
.
. He lived in Benfica, traveled to Arroja, returned to Benfica, then moved to Amadora and finally stayed in Damaia. From a young age he developed strong politic opinions, influenced by his Philosophy
teacher at school. He joined the "Juventude Comunista Portuguesa" (Portuguese Communist Youth), but dropped out a short time afterward.
He began listening to rap music in 1991, but it was until 1995 that he encountered deeper lyrics from artists like Nas
, Krs-one and Racionais MC's
. His chosen artistic name, Valete, was inspired by a documentary of ilusionism, with the mystic idea that a Valete (Jack) card, used in magic tricks, didn't allow the ilusionism to develop correctly.
His music activity began in 1997 with Adamastor
, when they created a group called Canal 115, and later getting signed by Horizontal Records. During that same year, and only sixteen years old, he started recording mix-tapes launched by DJs like Bomberjack and Cruzfader. He continued with Canal 115 for 2 more years constantly performing in his country, but then decided to dedicate himself to his studies, getting a degree in Communication
.
In 2002 he returned with his album
Educação Visual
, launched independently and rejecting collaborations. Valete, who before this album was known for being a freestyle
or battle MC, clearly showed his lyrical talent with elaborate rhymes, taking on anti-capitalist
overtones. In the song Anti-Herói, he defines himself as a "Trotskista belicista" (a bellicist Trotskist).
His second album Serviço Público
was named as one of the best Portuguese hip hop albums of 2006 by the critics. It was also chosen as the second best national album by the listeners of the Hip hop radio show Suburbano on Coimbra
's university radio, RUC
. A prominent hip hop critic, Rui Miguel Abreu, has called him the only political rapper in Portugal.
Currently, he occupies his time both on his professional career and in the commercial department of a company for hydraulic resources that opened in 2007 in São Tomé e Príncipe.
Portuguese language
Portuguese is a Romance language that arose in the medieval Kingdom of Galicia, nowadays Galicia and Northern Portugal. The southern part of the Kingdom of Galicia became independent as the County of Portugal in 1095...
political hip hop
Political hip hop
Political hip hop is a sub-genre of hip hop music that developed in the 1980s. Inspired by 1970s political preachers such as The Last Poets and Gil Scott-Heron, Public Enemy were the first political hip hop group...
artist named Keidje Lima that has enjoyed some critical success in his home country of Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
.
Life & music career
Valete was born in Lisbon, PortugalPortugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
. He lived in Benfica, traveled to Arroja, returned to Benfica, then moved to Amadora and finally stayed in Damaia. From a young age he developed strong politic opinions, influenced by his Philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
teacher at school. He joined the "Juventude Comunista Portuguesa" (Portuguese Communist Youth), but dropped out a short time afterward.
He began listening to rap music in 1991, but it was until 1995 that he encountered deeper lyrics from artists like Nas
Nas
Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, who performs under the name Nas , formerly Nasty Nas, is an American rapper and actor. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in hip hop and one of the most skilled and influential rappers of all-time...
, Krs-one and Racionais MC's
Racionais MC's
Racionais MC's is a hip hop group based in São Paulo, Brazil. Mano Brown , Ice Blue , Edy Rock and DJ KL Jay formed the group in 1988. Each member hails from the ring of favelas around São Paulo locally called the periferia...
. His chosen artistic name, Valete, was inspired by a documentary of ilusionism, with the mystic idea that a Valete (Jack) card, used in magic tricks, didn't allow the ilusionism to develop correctly.
His music activity began in 1997 with Adamastor
Adamastor
Adamastor is a Greek-type mythological character famed by the Portuguese poet Luís de Camões in his epic poem Os Lusíadas , as a symbol of the forces of nature Portuguese navigators had to overcome during their discoveries...
, when they created a group called Canal 115, and later getting signed by Horizontal Records. During that same year, and only sixteen years old, he started recording mix-tapes launched by DJs like Bomberjack and Cruzfader. He continued with Canal 115 for 2 more years constantly performing in his country, but then decided to dedicate himself to his studies, getting a degree in Communication
Communication
Communication is the activity of conveying meaningful information. Communication requires a sender, a message, and an intended recipient, although the receiver need not be present or aware of the sender's intent to communicate at the time of communication; thus communication can occur across vast...
.
In 2002 he returned with his album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
Educação Visual
Educação Visual
Educação Visual is the first album of Portuguese MC, Valete. It was launched in the year 2002.- Track listing :...
, launched independently and rejecting collaborations. Valete, who before this album was known for being a freestyle
Freestyle rap
Freestyle rap commonly refers to rap lyrics which are improvised through a acapella or with instrumental beats, i.e. performed with no previously composed lyrics, or "off the top of the head"...
or battle MC, clearly showed his lyrical talent with elaborate rhymes, taking on anti-capitalist
Capitalism
Capitalism is an economic system that became dominant in the Western world following the demise of feudalism. There is no consensus on the precise definition nor on how the term should be used as a historical category...
overtones. In the song Anti-Herói, he defines himself as a "Trotskista belicista" (a bellicist Trotskist).
His second album Serviço Público
Serviço Público
Serviço Público is an album of the Portuguese MC Valete. It was launched in 2006.- Track listing :...
was named as one of the best Portuguese hip hop albums of 2006 by the critics. It was also chosen as the second best national album by the listeners of the Hip hop radio show Suburbano on Coimbra
Coimbra
Coimbra is a city in the municipality of Coimbra in Portugal. Although it served as the nation's capital during the High Middle Ages, it is better-known for its university, the University of Coimbra, which is one of the oldest in Europe and the oldest academic institution in the...
's university radio, RUC
Radio Universidade de Coimbra
Coimbra University Radio is a university radio station of the Coimbra Academic Association of the University of Coimbra in Coimbra, Portugal. It broadcasts on 107.9 FM . The Center of Experimental Radio was founded in the 40's, but it is only on March, 1st 1986...
. A prominent hip hop critic, Rui Miguel Abreu, has called him the only political rapper in Portugal.
Currently, he occupies his time both on his professional career and in the commercial department of a company for hydraulic resources that opened in 2007 in São Tomé e Príncipe.
Albums
- Educação VisualEducação VisualEducação Visual is the first album of Portuguese MC, Valete. It was launched in the year 2002.- Track listing :...
{Visual Education} 2002 - 5,000 copies sold in Portugal - Serviço PúblicoServiço PúblicoServiço Público is an album of the Portuguese MC Valete. It was launched in 2006.- Track listing :...
{Public Service} 2006 - 5,000 copies sold in Portugal - Homo Libero 2011
Collaborations
- Canal 115 project (Valete, Adamastor and Bónus)
- Sam the KidSam the KidSamuel Martins Torres Santiago Mira , better known by his professional stage name, Sam the Kid, is a Portuguese rapper and producer.-Life & music career:...
"Pratica(mente)Pratica(mente)Pratica is a 2006 studio album by prominent Portuguese rapper and producer Sam the Kid. It is his first studio album, all of his previous works being recorded in his home....
" - Compilation "Nação Hip Hop" - 10 Anos de rap em português" {Hip Hop Nation - 10 years of rap in Portuguese} (May/2003) - song "Nossos Tempos"
- Compilation "Primeiro Kombate" {Combat First} (June/2003) - song "À Noite" (with Bónus)
- Compilation "Hip Hop Nation #1" (June/2003) - song "Ser Ou Não Ser" (with Bónus)
- Compilation "Hip Hop Nation #11" (June/2004) - song "Fim da Ditadura"
- Compilation "Poesia Urbana Vol.1" {Urban Poetry} (July/2004)
- Compilation "Nação Hip-Hop 2005" {Hip Hop Nation} (January/2005)
- Compilation "Hip Hop Nation #17" (February/2005) - collaborates in "Conexões"
- CD "Pratica(mente)" (December/2006) of Sam The Kid - collaborates in "Presta Atenção"
- Compilation "Adriano, Aqui e Agora - O Tributo" {Adriano, Here and Now - Tribute} (October/2007) - song "Menina dos Olhos Tristes"
- CD "Babalaze" (November/2007) of Azagaia - collaborates in song "Alternativos"
- CD "Na Linda Da Frente" (May/2010) of GPRO - collaborates in song "Karaboss Remix & G.P.R.O"
Mixtapes
- Mixtape "Reencontro do Vinil Vol. 1" (January/1998) of DJ Bomberjack - one song
- Mixtape "Reencontro do Vinil Vol. 2" (1998) of DJ Bomberjack - three songs
- Mixtape "Volta a Dar Cartas em 99" (1999) of DJ Bomberjack - collaborates in one song
- Mixtape "Freestyle Connexion" (November/2002) of DJ Bomberjack & DJ Lusitano - song "Duplo Sentido"
- Mixtape "Colisão Ibérica" em 00 de DJ Bomberjack - participa num tema
- Mixtape "Lisboa-Porto Connection" (1999) de DJ Cruzfader
- Mixtape "Tuga Mix" (1999) of DJ Cruzfader
External links
- Valete at hi5Hi5 (website)hi5 is a social networking website based in San Francisco, California. The company was founded in 2003 by Ramu Yalamanchi. By 2008, comScore reported that hi5 had become the third most popular social networking site in terms of monthly unique visitors....
- Valete discography (including mixtapes) (Portuguese)
- Magic Hip Hop
- GangdoMoinho - HipHop Tuga - Hip Hop Tuga e Crioulo, downloads, videoclips, albuns, mixtaps, entrevistas, concertos, beefs/battles, novidades e desporto online (Sportv)