When Valiant arrives for his Deeds cover shoot, he is a few days fresh from playing Wireless Festival to a crowd of eager fans who have been eagerly awaiting his performance. The performance in question is a moment for him, as the global Dancehall artist has continually grown his musical presence since his viral moment in 2022, which brought him to the music space through social media.
Since then, his career has transcended beyond expectation, with several chart-topping singles and award nominations, and his impact has grown through his use of social media. He has been able to utilise social media's power and continue spreading the next generation of Dancehall talent across borders beyond.
As a self-taught vocalist, he has been able to cultivate his own music career. The two years in which he has had a presence in the music scene have been unique. His sound has grown and developed because of his individuality and passion for music.
Now, at a point in his career that is about growth and opportunity, we spoke to Valiant about everything from social media to the next generation of Dancehall, his fans, and a lot more.
For people who may need to be made aware, who is Valiant?
Valiant is a humble, fun-loving, hardworking youth from Jamaica who loves music. I started making music in my community, and through hard work and dedication, I've been able to share my talent with the world.
What was it like growing up in Jamaica, and how did music become what you wanted to do with your life?
Growing up in Jamaica was a mixture of challenges and beautiful moments. Music was always around me; it was a part of everyday life. I found peace in it, and it's my form of self-expression. It quickly became my passion and is my way of contributing to my culture.
You represent a new generation of artists in Dancehall. Given its position in the global musical landscape, what does it mean for you to be a Dancehall artist right now?
It means everything you know; Dancehall is an influential genre and has contributed much globally. It has also undergone many changes over the years. Being a Dancehall artist now means carrying that legacy forward while pushing boundaries and innovating within the genre.
Social Media has had a big part to play in your career. How have people been able to find you, and how has your music been able to travel all over the globe? How has that impacted how you make music?
Social media has changed the game. It allows me to connect directly with my fans and get immediate feedback. It also pushes me to be more creative and authentic because they can tell when you're being real versus when you're not.
In this digital age, how do you continue to create lasting moments when social media puts almost a 24-hour timer on things to be engaged with?
Truthfully, I focus on making an impact through the music. If the music resonates, that will create a lasting moment regardless of how fast-paced social media can be.
You have played shows all around the world, and you just played to a crowd of 50,000 in London. So, what is that experience like seeing your music translate outside of social media and people engage with you all over the world?
It's an incredible feeling. Seeing people from different cultures and backgrounds vibing to my music and singing along is surreal. It shows that music is a universal language and that Dancehall has a global reach.
What has been the biggest 'I can't believe it' moment you have experienced so far?
There have been so many, and I am grateful for that. Most recently, though, I came to the Wireless stage for the first time and heard everyone sing my songs word for word. Wow, what a moment.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
Right now, I'm listening to a mix of artists. I like to keep my playlist diverse, so you'll find everything from 90s Dancehall to Afrobeats, hip-hop, R&B and other similar genres.
You have had several hits in your career so far. Which ones would you say have been the ones that surprised you people responded to the most?
One of the tracks that surprised me the most was "Dunce Cheque". How people connected with it and how it blew up was unexpected, but it showed me that authenticity resonates with people.
You have spoken about how a lot of your musical journey has been due to the fact that you were self-taught and have done everything by yourself. So, getting to this point in your career, what has that process and journey been like?
It's been a challenging but rewarding journey. I've had to learn a lot on my own and make a lot of sacrifices. But every challenge has made me stronger and more appreciative of where I am today. It's taught me resilience and the importance of staying true to myself.
In a time when Amapiano and Afrobeats had a massive global takeover appeal, where do you feel Dancehall sits in today's international music landscape?
Dancehall remains a solid and influential genre. It's the foundation for many other genres and continues to inspire and influence music worldwide. It's evolving and adapting and will always have a place in the global music scene.
What does this time represent about where you are in your career?
This time represents growth and opportunity. I'm at a point where I can reflect on my journey and look forward to new challenges and achievements. It's a time to solidify my place in the industry and continue to make impactful music.
You have cultivated a solid and engaged fan base tuned in to everything you do. How is your relationship with your fans?
My fans are like family to me. They support me unconditionally and keep me grounded. I try to interact with them as much as possible, whether through social media or at shows because none of this would be possible without them.
As a new school dancehall artist pushing Dancehall on a global artist, what other artists can you put us onto?
There are a lot of up-and-coming artists doing great things in Dancehall. Keep an eye on acts like Armanii, Rajah Wild and more. They're bringing fresh energy to the scene.
What do you want your impact to be in the music landscape?
I want my impact to be one of inspiration and innovation. I want to show that staying true to your roots is possible while pushing the boundaries of what's possible in music. I want to inspire the next generation to dream big and work hard.
What are you working on at the moment, and what can we expect from you next?
Right now, I'm working on new music, possibly an album and planning more performances. You can expect more collaborations and exciting new projects to showcase my artistry's different sides.
CREDIT
Photographer: Eazy Visuals
Creative Director: Zekaria Al-Bostani
Producer - Seneo Mwamba
Stylist: Kiera Liberati
Publicist: Tahirah Thomas
Interview: Seneo Mwamba
