VALENTINO

"VALENTINO" by 24kGoldn is a braggadocious anthem that explores themes of materialism, hedonism, and emotional detachment in the wake of a romantic disillusionment. The central message is a rejection of traditional love in favor of the tangible satisfaction of wealth and luxury. The hook, "I don't want a valentine, I just want Valentino," serves as the song's thesis, explicitly stating a preference for high-fashion goods over an emotional connection. As 24kGoldn explained, a Valentine is a symbol of love given by someone else, whereas buying Valentino for oneself is an act of self-gratification and empowerment. The song portrays a character who uses a lavish lifestyle, casual sex, and constant flexing as a coping mechanism, creating a facade of confidence to mask underlying feelings of being slighted. The lyrics juxtapose the vulnerability of needing a Valentine with the power of acquiring luxury items, framing materialism as a form of self-love and independence.

The narrative of the song centers on a protagonist who is emphatically rejecting traditional notions of romance, specifically the sentimentality of Valentine's Day, in favor of materialistic indulgence and casual physical encounters. The central hook, repeated for emphasis, declares, "I don't want a valentine, I just want Valentino." This line establishes the core theme: the desire for luxury goods, represented by the high-fashion brand Valentino, as a replacement for emotional connection. This isn't just a preference; it's a coping mechanism and a declaration of a new value system. The narrator seeks immediate, tangible gratification—be it expensive clothing or sexual pleasure ("I just want the neck, I poke her face like a casino")—over the complexities and potential pain of a relationship.

He portrays a lifestyle of newfound wealth and status, a theme commonly referred to as "flexing" in hip-hop. He uses vivid, braggadocious imagery to illustrate his success: his diamonds are likened to lemonade, and his wallet is full of "spinach," a metaphor for cash that also cleverly references the cartoon character Popeye, known for gaining immense strength from it. This connects his financial power to a form of invincibility. He describes a fast-paced, hedonistic existence, racing on the interstate and living life to the fullest because tomorrow is not guaranteed ("To the grave, might just be tomorrow, might just be today"). This carpe diem attitude is fueled by popping bottles and a general disregard for consequences, symbolized by the line "Mask off, mask on, fuck it, I can't catch a case."

The world he inhabits is one of exclusivity and luxury, complete with Gucci shades, a mansion with a gate that keeps others out, and a Rolls-Royce Wraith where one can "see the stars." This opulence serves as a shield. He asserts that this affluent status isn't new but has "always been that way." Throughout the verses, there's a recurring theme of sexual prowess and encounters devoid of emotional attachment. Phrases like "she just can't seem to keep her knees closed" depict women who are irresistibly drawn to his lifestyle. However, a single line momentarily breaks through the materialistic facade: "And I think I fell in love, she shook that ass up in my face." This flicker of vulnerability suggests that despite his best efforts to remain detached and prioritize possessions, human emotion threatens to creep in, adding a layer of complexity to his otherwise straightforward bravado. The song, therefore, tells a story of a young man using wealth, luxury, and casual sex as armor against the hurt of a past relationship, creating a glamorous but emotionally hollow world for himself.

"VALENTINO" was written by Golden Landis Von Jones (24kGoldn) and Kevin Essett. It was produced by BlackMayo and officially released on January 25, 2019. 24kGoldn has stated that the inspiration came from a real experience in third grade when he was passed over during a Valentine's Day card exchange. He decided to channel that feeling of rejection and apply it to his current circumstances, transforming the pain into a modern anthem of self-worth through material success. He actually wrote the song when he was 17 and still in high school, saving it for over a year because he felt it had the energy of a hit. The song was his breakout single, gaining significant traction and going viral on the social media platform TikTok. This viral success was a major catalyst for his career, leading to him signing a record deal with RECORDS, LLC and Columbia Records after producer D.A. Doman took notice. The song became the lead single from his debut EP, Dropped Outta College. Despite its success, 24kGoldn later remarked that the song, recorded more than a year before its peak popularity, didn't fully reflect the person he had become.

The rhyme scheme in "VALENTINO" is straightforward and effective, primarily utilizing couplets (AABB) and simple end rhymes to maintain a catchy, forward-driving momentum. The chorus follows a clear pattern: "Valentino" rhymes with "casino," and "free throw" rhymes with "knees closed." This makes the hook incredibly easy to remember and sing along to. The verses also employ a similar structure, with lines like "lemonade" rhyming with "Minute Maid" and "spinach" with "finish."

The song's rhythm is defined by its trap beat, which is typically in common time (4/4) with a moderate to fast tempo. The rhythmic structure is characterized by rapid, syncopated hi-hat patterns and a strong, punchy backbeat. 24kGoldn's lyrical delivery plays with this rhythm, sometimes landing squarely on the beat and at other times using a more flexible, conversational flow. This interplay between the vocal rhythm and the instrumental creates the song's characteristic "bounce" and high-energy feel, making it suitable for both casual listening and club play.

"VALENTINO" employs a blend of musical and literary techniques that define its high-energy, trap-infused pop-rap style. Musically, the song is built on a foundation of a catchy, hard-hitting trap beat produced by BlackMayo, characterized by prominent 808 bass, crisp hi-hats, and a simple, repetitive melodic loop. The song is written in the key of A Minor. 24kGoldn's vocal delivery is a key stylistic element; he uses a melodic rap flow that blurs the line between singing and rapping, making the hooks particularly memorable. His delivery is energetic and confident, filled with ad-libs that punctuate his lines and add to the track's boastful atmosphere.

Lyrically, the song relies heavily on a strong, repetitive hook that serves as a recurring motif. It uses modern slang and cultural references (Popeye, Gucci, Rolls-Royce Wraith) to create a sense of immediacy and relevance. A notable literary device is the use of double entendre, as seen in the "Minute Maid / my diamonds lemonade" line, which showcases a playful cleverness amidst the bravado.

"VALENTINO" was 24kGoldn's breakout hit, launching him from a relatively unknown USC student to a platinum-selling artist. Its most significant cultural impact came through its viral spread on TikTok, where the song became the soundtrack to countless videos, significantly boosting its popularity in 2019. This success propelled the song onto the charts, making it 24kGoldn's first entry on the Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at number 92. It also charted in other countries, including Canada. The single was certified double platinum by the RIAA in the United States and achieved platinum status in Canada, among other certifications worldwide. The song's success was instrumental in him signing with Records, LLC and Columbia Records. Furthermore, the track was featured in the HBO series Ballers, further cementing its place in popular culture. While 24kGoldn would later achieve even greater success with "Mood," "VALENTINO" was the crucial first step that established his genre-blending style and his knack for creating viral, chart-climbing hits.

The song is built around a central, powerful symbol: Valentino. The luxury fashion brand represents more than just expensive clothing; it symbolizes a lifestyle of wealth, status, and self-sufficiency that the artist desires over romantic love. It's a tangible, attainable prize in a world where love has proven fickle. This is contrasted with the symbol of a "valentine," which represents traditional, often unreciprocated, affection.

Other metaphors enrich the narrative of flexing and power:

• "My diamonds lemonade": This metaphor uses the popular drink brand Minute Maid for a clever double entendre. It suggests his diamonds are a bright, dazzling yellow, and also plays on the phrase "minute made," implying he can acquire wealth quickly. 24kGoldn joked this was the line that got him into USC.
• "Wallet filled with spinach": This is a direct allusion to the cartoon character Popeye, who gained superhuman strength from eating spinach. Here, "spinach" is slang for money, and the metaphor equates wealth with power and strength.
• "Poker face like a casino": This simile highlights his emotional impenetrability and a sense of risk-taking, both in his romantic encounters and his lifestyle in general.

The most significant recurring element in "VALENTINO" is its central hook: "I don't want a valentine, I just want Valentino." This phrase is the song's core message and is repeated multiple times throughout the track, functioning as a powerful, memorable chorus that encapsulates the theme of prioritizing materialism over love. Its repetition drills the song's main idea into the listener's head, making it the undeniable takeaway.

Another recurring line within the hook is "Shawty want some mo', she just can't seem to keep her knees closed." This motif reinforces the theme of hedonism and the artist's perceived irresistibility to women, linking his appeal directly to his lavish lifestyle and confident persona. The repetition of these phrases not only creates a cohesive and memorable song structure but also continuously reinforces the defiant and boastful emotional tone.