6.6.2025
Video: Eddie Valero – “For The Hood” ft. 8Ball
The Rising Memphis Rapper and Southern Rap Legend Connect to Pay Tribute To Their Home Neighborhood of Orange Mound in the Latest Video From Eddie’s New Album Gangsta Blues, Available Everywhere In Partnership With ONErpm
Critical Praise:
“In the landscape of contemporary Memphis hip-hop, Eddie Valero’s trajectory is distinguished by his beat selection and narrative prowess. A fusion of street blues, Valero’s sound taps into Memphis’ rich musical legacy, while his lyrical narratives delve into the darker nuances of the city that shaped him. Valero is one of the few up-and-comers to not come under the musical trees of Three 6 Mafia, Yo Gotti or Young Dolph. His rise stands as a testament to his individual artistry and distinct contribution to the Memphis sound.” – HITS DD
The Video:
A master of understated flexes and aspirational street storytelling, Eddie Valero will never forget where he comes from. The Memphis riser connects with a legend from his city on “For The Hood,” his new music video. “For The Hood” is a tribute to Eddie’s home neighborhood of Orange Mound in Southeastern Memphis, which was the first U.S. neighborhood to be built by African-Americans, and once had the largest population of Black folks in the U.S. outside of Harlem. The song features a guest appearance from 8Ball, of the legendary duo 8Ball & MJG, also an Orange Mound native. Rhyming over a triumphant soul sample, Eddie and 8Ball drip with hometown pride, Eddie toe-tagging the beat with his authoritative drawl, while 8Ball fires off triplets as he passes the Memphis rap torch to Eddie. In the video, directed by Global Filmz, Eddie and 8Ball show off their car collections before posting up at a neighborhood eatery and shining a spotlight on the Mound’s colorful denizens.
“For The Hood” is a highlight from Gangsta Blues, Eddie Valero’s brand new album. Spanning 11 tracks, the high-octane album harkens back to all eras of Memphis music, from the country-fried underground rap of the 90s, to the hustle-hard anthems of recent years, reaching all the way back to the blues that made Beale Street famous. Crafted by producers including BandPlay, Luh Ron, and DT Da Kidd, Gangsta Blues is a treat for fans who appreciate 70s soul as much as modern trap, weaving in samples from greats like Curtis Mayfield (on mood-setting intro “60 Dayz“) and The Isley Brothers (on self-assured closer “Superstar“) to animate Eddie’s street stories. Eddie’s resonant rap voice bounces off twangy guitars and speaker-knocking 808s, as he talks his fly sh*t (“Diamonds sing like Johnny Gill,” he says in recent single “New Edition“) and gives glimpses into the darker aspects of his rise. Featuring an additional guest appearance from Starlito, Gangsta Blues is available on all platforms in partnership with ONErpm.
Born and raised in Memphis, Eddie Valero has built a large audience in his city and beyond the hard way, never compromising his style and eschewing high-profile co-signs on his route to local legend status. Growing up in awe of his city’s OGs, Eddie worked hard at his craft, using his expert beat selection and gritty storytelling to grow his following to over 60k YouTube subscribers. Always confident fans would find him, he started his signature mixtape series, Until They Feel Me, in 2021, releasing 4 installments in all, featuring local hits like “Lero BandPlay” (1.38 million Spotify streams) his hard-hitting collab with the PRE-signed producer. In 2023, he dropped “Flex N Go” with JpOnTheTrack, racking up over 2.5 million YouTube views in the process, and he followed in 2024 with the Undefeated mixtape. Most recently, Eddie shared Just For Y’all, a no frills street tape featuring the buzzing single “Money Locked In.” Eddie Valero is currently on the road, opening for Don Trip & Starlito on their “Step Brothers 4 Life Tour” on several dates this summer.
With Gangsta Blues out now, Eddie Valero is ready to become Memphis’s next big thing. Stay tuned for more.
Watch “For The Hood” ft. 8Ball: https://youtu.be/CcsBx5eTPRI
Stream Gangsta Blues: https://onerpm.link/gangstablues
Gangsta Blues tracklist:
- 60 Dayz
- Storytime 2
- Every Member
- New Edition
- Bills To Pay
- For The Hood ft. 8Ball
- Participation Trophies ft. Starlito
- Shawty Lo
- Cool With Me
- Zombies
- Superstar
Photo credit: Global Films (@GlobalFilms17)
Please contact Michelle or Kevin for more info.
The Background:
About Eddie Valero
When you talk about the new generation of Memphis Hip Hop, you have to mention Eddie Valero. Eddie’s beat selection and storytelling have moved him right up the ladder in the city and now he’s the talk of the town from the fans to the OGs. His brand of street blues feels like the familiar sound that the city of Memphis was built on but his brand of street tales definitely define the dark side of the city that raised him. And, he’s one of the few true rap success stories to not come under the musical trees of Three 6 Mafia, Yo Gotti, or Young Dolph.
About ONErpm
ONErpm is a next generation music company and leader in new revenue opportunities, operating one of the world’s largest music distribution platforms and YouTube Multi-Channel Networks. Offering a full suite of services that includes marketing support, supply chain tools, business intelligence, publishing, accounting, and global payment solutions, ONErpm provides the infrastructure needed to help creators and content owners succeed. As a trusted partner, ONErpm emphasizes transparency in everything it does, from executing a marketing campaign to making payments. Located in 29 cities across 20 countries with a staff of over 450, the company’s global footprint is constantly expanding, making it one of the fastest growing independent music companies in the world.
For more information, visit www.onerpm.com
Links:
instagram | spotify | apple | youtube
“For The Hood” ft. 8Ball: https://youtu.be/CcsBx5eTPRI
Gangsta Blues: https://onerpm.link/gangstablues
“New Edition” (Prod. by BandPlay): https://onerpm.link/newedition / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToFLsHIiq1o
“Zombies”: https://onerpm.link/zombies