streetrock72

DJ

Hip Hop

Initially regarded as a promising east coast hip hop dj, saxophonist, instrumentalist, spoken word and aerosol artist, Victor Valente (known in the 80’s to Mid 90’s for his mixtapes as Super V.) has expanded his reach through out the years, establishing himself as a profound musician, becoming one of the most versatile hip hop jazz artists today. Victor has proven himself in breaking the " frowned upon " stigma that haunts the hip hop community, questioning the culture's creative art form.

Born in New Bedford, MA. then becoming a New York Native from the Bronx at a young age, Victor Valente became exposed to the sounds of 70's jazz fusion and the writers that famed themselves through out the New York city subway system (Coco144, Phase 2, Riff170 and Vulcan). Victor began drawing and painting at the young age of eight, writing DZ178 as his signature. Becoming more evolved in the urban arts, a young Valente began a career as a dj creating mixtapes for friends and associates which would become a launching pad towards a musical escapade. Soon after, Victor became a card carrying member of The Universal Zulu Nation founded by Affrika Bammbatta, leading him towards a prestigious association with Dj Jazzy Jay, Amad Henderson, Whiz Kid, Mr. Freeze (of the Jazzy 5 mc's) and Richard Lee Sisco Jr. aka "Sisco Kid" (Best known for his legendary performance in the movie Beat Street) who became a partner, mentor, second father like figure introducing him to the saxophone and music theory.

Combining his experience as a dj and artist, Victor Valente began broadening his involvement in writing and producing after listening to the 1977 release from Cat Stevens "was a dog a doughnut". In 1985 Victor Valente recorded "Man From Space", distributing it as a cassette single independently, leading him towards a success that catapulted Victor's career as an artist and dj. Soon after, with the 80's mixtape scene growing, Victor Valente continued producing more Super V mixtapes which were sold at many well known venues throughout New York City along side other known tape kings such as Kid Capri, Brucie B, Starski, and Ron G.

In 1993 Victor began working with engineer Rock Smith aka Rock Logic, producing mixtapes featuring Rock as MC at Jazzy Jay's to promote Jazzy's studio in the Bronx. The Jazzy Jay's Studio project became a strong addition to Victor's reputation, earning him two Cameo appearances on Rick Ruben's Def America label, doing scratch work and Rock Smith's voice on the tape would catch the attention of producer Franky Cutlass convincing Rock too record the vocals for "Shake whacha mama gave ya" performing under the stage name "Stik E and the hoods on Phatwax Records.

Inspired into taking music and recording more seriously, in 1995, Victor recorded "Surviving with the time", which featured Victor Valente and his close friend & Dj parnter, Richard Lee Sisco both playing saxophone over heavy drums and dj scratches. Instead of releasing the song to the music market, Victor and Richard decided to only play "Surviving with the time" at venues and events, they were booked as djs, making then the only djs in New York City to play the record. 10 years later Victor released "Surviving with the time" on Victor Valente's debut EP "Off The Canvas" on Great Moon Records, in 2005. Changing his tone from the Hip Hop scene, Victor released his 2007 sophmore Ep, "New Life" displaying a more chamber jazz / funk style with songs like "Message From Heaven" and "So Far Away".