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A Soulful Valentino Becomes Ludacris' Latest Prot�g�

By Anthony Richards
Black College Wire

Credit: Bobbyvalentino.com Bobby Valentino was Bobby Wilson when he attended Clark Atlanta University.

After Ludacris ran through the South with his comical style of rap, hip-hop heads turned their attention to "Sr. Luda" as he put his Disturbing Tha Peace record label on his back and paved the way for other rhyme slingers.

With such artists as Shawnna, Chingy, Titty Boy and I-20, Ludacris seemed to have his business in place. It was only a matter of time before Bobby Valentino, the first R&B artist on Disturbing Tha Peace, took a shot at fame.

After Valentino's single "Slow Down" hit the club scene, patrons did just that: They put their drinks down and gave young Bobby a buzz through word of mouth.

Valentino, whose given name is Bobby Wilson, graduated from Clark Atlanta University and is out with his debut solo album. In a candid interview, the charming artist talked about overnight success and singing to the ladies.

"I love the ladies. I have never sung any lyrics to my songs to a female to get her number, but I have maybe sung to get a little more," Valentino said.

Valentino is no rookie in the music business. As a matter of fact, his first plan toward stardom did not pan out as planned. At 13, he was one of the artists in Organized Noize's teen group Mista in 1998. The group's debut single, "Blackberry Molasses," remains a classic.

"Being in the group was definitely a learning experience, as it shows how you can be here one day and gone tomorrow," Valentino said. "It has taught me to remain humble."

Linking up with Ludacris should definitely set Valentino among the commercially serious artists to watch. Look at Ludacris' old prot�g� Chingy: He's hit his album's title, "The Jackpot," and gone platinum. Valentino expects only the best as well.

"I've known Luda for a while. When I used to go to Clark, I was also putting an album together. I had two or three albums done and then I got down with Disturbing Tha Peace. I have good relationships with all of them, [and] the rest is basically history," Valentino said.

Although offered a music scholarship, Valentino opted to study mass communications, where he shifted his focus to film editing, speech and other areas. The plan was for him to hone diverse skills for the music industry.

After graduation in May 2004, he found an internship at a TV station and spent some of his free time working with his father in the Atlanta Urban Gardening Program, where participants learn to grow and care for fruits and vegetables.

"College helped my career tremendously," he said. "It helped me learn about prioritizing, and it also helped me find myself. Being at Clark also helped me learn how to talk to people, learning what to say and what not to say. It made me a better all-around person."

Amid success and a hit album, "Give Me a Chance" was released in stores on April 12. Bobby Valentino, whose dream is to record with Anita Baker, seems to be entirely focused.

With "Give Me a Chance," featuring Ludacris, and such charming tracks as "Gangsta Love," Valentino seems to find his niche by blending hip-hop beats with a heartwarming soulful sound.

"I really believe this album will set me apart from other male vocalists. I believe that my style definitely sets me apart from other vocalists even if you can compare me to artists from back in the day. That's my kinda style."

Anthony Richards, a student at Clark Atlanta University, writes for the Panther.

Posted May 2, 2005