Vald

Vald is a French rapper born Valentin Le Du in 1992 in Aulnay-sous-Bois, in the Seine-Saint-Denis department northeast of Paris. Trained as a sound engineer, he came to rap relatively late, discovering the genre as a teenager through artists like Kery James after an earlier passion for metal music. He briefly attempted medical studies before completing degrees in mathematics-computer science and sound engineering, skills that later shaped his meticulous, self-produced approach to music.

Vald began releasing free mixtapes in 2012, including «NQNTMQMQMB» and «Cours de rattrapage», building an early following through YouTube videos, humor sketches, and freestyle sessions for the Daymolition platform, where his technical flow and wordplay stood out. He gradually established himself as one of the most distinctive voices in French rap, known for dense, ironic lyrics, unconventional song structures, and a willingness to experiment with electronic and pop textures rather than sticking to boom-bap conventions.

Over the following years Vald released a series of acclaimed albums that expanded his sound, incorporating dark humor, introspective themes, and often provocative imagery. Tracks such as «Désaccordé», «Eurotrap», and «Megadose» reflect his range, from moody electronic-tinged rap to sharper, more aggressive cuts. He remains one of the more idiosyncratic figures in contemporary French hip-hop, respected for his craftsmanship and refusal to repeat himself stylistically from project to project.