In front of us is the sophomore effort from Chicago, Illinois rapper Valee. Making his name known by releasing 3 mixtapes & a couple EPs from the span of 2015-2018, it wasn’t until one of my top 10 producers of all-time Ye or the Nazi formerly known as Kanye West signed him to a joint deal with G.O.O.D. Music & Def Jam Recordings. The next 2 EPs G.O.O.D. Job, You Found Me & Runnin’ Rich helped spread plugg music to a mainstream audience despite both receiving mixed reception to the point where he would go his own way from Thersday onward. I should also mention that Valee additionally has 2 EPs with AYOCHILLMAN as the duo The TrAppiEst as well as 2 more with ChaseTheMoney as the duo VTM & 1 with Stan Lane as the duo Vlane. His full-length debut Virtuoso produced by Harry Fraud from 2023 won me over on him as did Partridge produced by Black Noi$e & the Evilgiane-produced Grey Sky London, reuniting with Harry to tackle Egonomics.
“Numerical” begins with a vocal sample & synthesizers talking about him hitting the lottery being a miracle within itself whereas “Pocket Dial” featuring Fat Money finds the 2 flexing that the money be inadvertently calling both of them. “Cut Corners” featuring Wizz Havinn mixes soul & trap observing everyone who’s taking shortcuts rather than taking the longer route, but then “Top That” featuring D.R.A.M. makes a 180° by going hyphy.
The sequel to “Miami” lives up to the original featuring Pusha T during Valee’s time on G.O.O.D. Music while “Driver’s Ed” featuring Curren$y was a great jazz rap single to start the Egonomics rollout. “Orange Drop” featuring Sir Michael Rocks & Z Money finds the trio boasting over a sample-woven beat while “LegASee” featuring Bruiser Wolf speaks on their own respective legacies. “Dividends” lastly closes up fusing rap rock & trap to break down his lifestyle.
5 months since the Great Sky London EP expanding his sound in favor of plugg & jerk, it only makes sense for Harry Fraud to come back in the picture to make a Virtuoso sequel taking everything that made it a turning point in Valee’s career & take them to higher levels. Harry’s production feels much similar than the predecessor couple summers ago except for the hyphy & rap rock undertones with more guests than last time & most of them sticking the landing.
Score: 8/10
