Artist Profile: Aurelio Valdez-Barajas
Name:
Aurelio Valdez-Barajas
Hometown:
Everett
Current City:
Southwest Seattle
Your Medium/Craft:
HipHop Artist, Poet, Film Director
Years doing your craft:
7 years
How did you first get started in your craft?
Around my middle school years I was longing for music that aligned with my rebellious youthful nature towards authority and systematic injustice; I found myself gravitated towards HipHop with artists such as 2Pac, Nas, Ice Cube, Immortal Technique and etc. Soon I would begin writing my own rhymes in the form poetry meets lyrics. Spoke about issues, injustice and HipHop at age 14 and the same message today.
Favorite Artist(s) and/or Inspirations?
2Pac hands down! First artist I studied and could relate to, growing up I felt the songs that were popular during my high school and middle school days weren't relating to me or motivating me to fight for liberation.
Favorite Piece You've Created?
My debut song and first song i've ever released, Nepantla. Written when I was 17 and released at age 18.
What’s the most challenging part of being an artist, or something you had to overcome?
Rising above expectations. Being from the region of the Northwest, a Brown Chicano doing HipHop; there's many expectations when I do my music and other artistic expression.
How can people be supportive of the arts?
Being open to it. Everyone who does art is unique and should stick to their intuition cause folks will feel the authenticity. Also, financially support your local artist. We get hungry and need to pay bills but yet we keeping you guys entertained. Help support your local artist by buying their music, attending their shows, buying their merch and sharing their music.
Favorite place in Everett to eat?
Zoey's Fried Chicken Sandwiches & Wings right on West Casino Road
Favorite place in Everett to hang?
Outside the Mariner High School parking lot, Sports Court, outside Rancho Grande Market on Hwy 99.
Favorite quote and/or words to live by?
"Justice is just us being just us"
"Chinga la migra"
What's next for you?
I'll be releasing a ton of personal work and collaborating with amazing producers such as Melonic and Drama Theme. Alongside that, there's a ton of artistry coming out of the Southside of Everett.
I'm working on doing my last year at Seattle Pacific University about to graduate with both Political Science and Sociology; becoming the first member of my family to graduate High School and University.
Will work on a new documentary film within the next couple of years. I am obligated to the communities I work in and will be pressuring local leaders to pass equitable legislation that would benefit many suffering peoples across the Puget Sound.
Where can people see more of your art?
Check out Aurelio’s new video.
Images courtesy of Aurelio Valdez-Barajas
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