There is a story behind every voice, and for South London singer-songwriter Valentina, hers has been shaped by family, different cultures and a deep-rooted connection to music.
Now stepping into the spotlight with her debut single Our Head, released on 18 September 2026, Valentina is introducing audiences to an artist whose sound draws from soul, R&B, jazz and classical music while remaining firmly connected to her own generation.
A Sound Shaped by Two Cultures
Valentina was born and raised in South London within an Italian and Filipino family. Music was a natural part of her upbringing, alongside strong connections to Italy, where she spent summers throughout her childhood and developed a relationship with the country that would later become an important part of her career.
She has already performed for audiences of thousands in Italy, demonstrating that her musical journey has extended well beyond her London roots.
Her influences include artists such as Amy Winehouse, Adele and Raye, combined with her love of soul, R&B, jazz and classical music. Rather than simply recreating the music that inspired her, Valentina is interested in finding a contemporary place for those influences within her own sound.
When Music Became a Way Forward
Valentina’s relationship with songwriting developed during a difficult period of her teenage years.
At around 16, experiences of bullying, isolation and struggling to fit in left her questioning who she was. Writing songs became a way to express emotions she found difficult to communicate, particularly through lyrics inspired by heartbreak and her experiences at the time.
That experience continues to influence her creative outlook. For Valentina, music is about more than performing. It is about creating something in which another person might recognise their own experiences.
From Family Karaoke to Ronnie Scott’s
Long before professional stages became part of her life, Valentina was surrounded by music at home.
Her family held weekly karaoke sessions, while her grandfather — an opera singer and guitarist — became one of her biggest musical influences. She was also involved in school productions throughout her secondary education after receiving a drama scholarship, developing an early love for singing, dancing and acting.
Yet the performer audiences see today was not always so confident.
As a child, Valentina would hide around the house so nobody could hear her practising. Years later, she found herself performing at some of London’s notable venues, including COYA Mayfair, Bardo St James’s and Ronnie Scott’s.
Performing her own original music at Ronnie Scott’s became an especially meaningful milestone, bringing together her love of jazz and soul with the confidence she had developed over years of performing.
An Italian Adventure
Italy has provided some of the most memorable moments of Valentina’s developing career.
At Minturno Musica Estate, she performed in front of thousands of people and addressed the audience in Italian, despite it not being her first language.
Another unexpected opportunity came when she was asked to join legendary Italian singer Al Bano on stage just two hours before a performance. Valentina had to quickly learn the Italian sections of Felicità before performing the classic song alongside him. Following the performance, Al Bano asked her to close the show with him.
Choosing Music on Her Own Terms
The road to Valentina’s debut has included its share of uncertainty.
After being rejected by the BRIT School at 16, she later auditioned for BIMM with the help of her older sister. She was accepted and eventually chose to leave sixth form to study music.
She subsequently spent a short period working in estate agency, but in February 2026 decided to leave her job and commit herself to music full-time.
That decision has now led to the release of Our Head and a new chapter with Cronx Records.
More Than a Debut
For Valentina, Our Head represents the beginning rather than the destination.
A Christmas EP is currently in development, while a major festival appearance in Tuscany is planned for 2027, with an expected audience of more than 20,000 people. Her connections across South London, Italy, Dubai, New York and Los Angeles are also helping to give her story an increasingly international dimension.
But despite those ambitions, the motivation behind her music remains personal.
Valentina wants to create songs that make people feel understood — music capable of connecting with someone during a particular moment in their life.
With Our Head, that journey has officially begun.
