Ricardo Valdez Valentine, better known by his stage name 6LACK, has been on the rise to fame since November 2016, with his release of Free 6LACK, as hit number five album on Billboard Rap Charts. Since then, 6lack has gained fortune, fame and family – a father of a 2-year-old daughter; Syx Rose Valentine. After the successful release of his first album, 6lack went on to release Cutting Ties, a song that became a universal tune of heartbreak and breakups. Nominated for two Grammys in 2018 and signed to perform at Coachella in April 2019, 6lack is making waves in the R&B industry. Performing sparse, dreamy, moody music that fits somewhere between trap, cloud rap, screw and alternative R&B 6lack seems to know how to access his fans in the rawest of ways; writing about the struggle that set the stage for his success, his daughter, heartbreak, his hometown- East Atlanta and shouting out the artists that made the path for him. 6lack seems to constantly deep dive into embittered relationships and a quest to find a better life through his music. It can only be described as the American Dream made a mid-20s reality, wrapped in sombre production and sent into the world with low-toned vocals. However, it didn’t become a dream without the struggle.
6lack was raised in Zone 6, the eastern district of Atlanta, called a breeding ground for rappers, home to some of the most highly regarded rappers such as Gucci Mane, 21 Savage, Akon and 2 Chainz. 6lack was a quiet kid, witnessing a few things he shouldn’t have at his age: friends sitting in prisons or lying in cemeteries. Scared straight of what his future might hold if he didn’t get out, he drove to Miami, looking for a record deal to jumpstart his career. He was then signed with no management or lawyers, but to a beautiful and high-end label- one he never thought he could land. And, it wasn’t one he wanted. The label demanded hit records with pop formats while 6lack craved artistic freedom, not willing to conform to the mainstream music- even if it would pay the bills. Refusing to write and sing the type of music the label desired, 6lack sat in stalemate- waiting for the day his contract was over and he could finally have control again. That was when he hit his rock bottom, as he called it, sleeping outside restaurants and looking for scraps. Broke and homeless, 6lack prayed that it was worth it. It was- legends such as J Cole, Future and Khalid appeared on his second album East Atlanta Love Letter, becoming a top R&B album, ranked number 1 on Billboard and having a Grammy-nominated album and single, Prblms- take a listen below.
Before the recording sessions for Free 6lack began, he wrote “relatable” on a whiteboard, the theme that would be behind the 11 tracks. What emerged was deeply candid songwriting, known by the popular song, Prblms, a reflection on the final moments of a doomed relationship. His honesty connects him to a generation of teens and young adults, learning how to piece together their lives. 2 years ago, his life was defined by heartbreak- unimaginable and unbearable. Then, by a car crash in Florida, a near-death experience stressing the thin thread on which his life hung. But while on tour in 2017, 6lack became a father, announcing the arrival of Syx Rose Valentine to the world via Instagram. For the first time in his life, music came second, and Syx came first.
“My daughter has taught me about unconditional love,” he says. “Kids don’t care what you did wrong – they’re just up everyday living, forgiving, loving, having fun. I love music to the death of me, but music can never smile at me the way she smiles at me. I feel like there are only three ultimate things you can do while you’re here: do what you love, love somebody and create a life.”
His new outlook changed the music he made, East Atlanta Love Letter’s cover image is him recording vocals in a kitchen with Syx wrapped around him. The extremes of his life forced him to have conversations, having a kid forces him to talk; having a baby mother forces him to talk; having a fan base that is affected by his music forces him to have a message worth hearing. East Atlanta Love Letter was recorded with a new word written on the whiteboard: perspective.
Everything matters. The two words 6lack opens every interview, concert and recording session. 6lack has been able to impact millions around the world, being the artist that brings raw honesty to each and every song, making sure the listener knows they aren’t going through it alone- whatever it is. 6lack doesn’t glorify drugs, alcohol or the Los Angeles life, he glorifies the other side- his family, the friends who rode for him through every battle- in every song, he makes it known that no matter what you’re going through, it’s going to be okay, you’ll make it out with the scars to prove your fight. He teaches fans that your fight defines your success, everything matters; every smile, every frown, every up and down, it all matters. It all defines who you are, defines who you become and defines how you respond when you hit rock bottom.
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Dear Alyna,
I really liked the topic you chose for your article. Choosing an artist as your topic isn’t something I’ve seen before. I really liked how you went in depth about the 6lack rise to fame and how you discussed some of the inspiration behind his music. Overall I found this article to be really informative and well put together.
One thing I would add is more information about his personal life and his up bringing but other then that I think this is really well done.
I look forward to reading more of your in the future, and I would love to see more non-fiction pieces from you.
Sincerely,
Aliza