Check Out Mihajlo “Valid” Peric’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mihajlo Peric, better known as Valid. 

Hi Valid, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I’m a first-generation child of Serbian immigrants. Real name Mihajlo, but people call me Valid. My mom’s family mostly lived in East Detroit/Highland Park area, while my father’s family were in South-West Detroit which is where we lived when I was born. Eventually, we moved to an area that was pretty close to the Dearborn Heights/Detroit border. I grew up loving music of all kinds, especially Michael Jackson. But, the first time I fell in love with Hip-Hop was via The Notorious BIG when I was around 10 years old. I knew I wanted to grow up to be like Biggie Smalls. Then as the years went on artists such as Eminem, Jay-Z, Nas, DMX, Mase, and so many others became the soundtrack of my adolescence. As I grew a bit older, in my late teens/young adult years is really when I dove into J. Dilla/Slum Village, Common, Hi-Tek, Talib Kweli, Erykah Badu, etc. 

Around 2010 is when I decided to truly pursue my passion to be a Hip-Hop artist rather than just recording stuff in my room for myself to listen back to. It took a while for me to get a hang of things, but I never let that discourage me. Eventually, I would link up with many of the respected names in the Detroit Hip-Hop scene such as DJ Head. DJ Head for those that don’t know is a platinum-selling producer who has produced for Eminem, D12, Obie Trice, Xzibit, Jay-Z, and was Eminem’s original DJ during the first few years of his success. He has helped me out tremendously, and around 2017 is when things really started to pick up for me a bit when I released some songs that started getting spins on Shade45/SiriusXM. That lead to my 2019 album release “Mihajlo” which may be my proudest most notable project as of yet. In 2020, I released The Plum Brandy EP (and the deluxe version “The Refill”) which was also huge for me. That project was worked on with some of the biggest music producers and DJs throughout former Yugoslavia and was an ode to my ethnic roots. 

For the last few years, I have done many shows in and out of state with DJ Head. My songs have been played by some of the biggest Hip-Hop DJs in the world such as Statik Selektah, DJ Eclipse, and Tony Touch. I have worked with Elzhi, 14KT, Illa J, Boldy James, & Skyzoo. And I feel like we’re just getting started! 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not smooth at all. When you’re an independent artist starting at a grassroots level, budgets are an issue. In the music game (much like other businesses) the less money you have to spend on marketing and promoting the harder it is to get a large number of people to know your music exists. Nevertheless, we stay pushing forward with a one fan at a time attitude. I have been blessed to have music covered by some credible blogs/websites and played by notable DJs which has helped out a lot. Being featured on albums such as Apollo Brown’s “Sincerely, Detroit” which featured verses from some of the biggest names in the history of Detroit Hip-Hop was an honor for me and helped a ton. 

Another challenge was a musical one. It took me a while to truly find myself, and truly get a firm grip on the craft I fell in love with. Over the years the case was often “Ok, Valid still needs work but he’s gotten better.” But now, I think that talk is of the past and I’m confident in my skills as an MC and artist, and I think the city is too. And to see that embraced, and to see how much love the music has been getting lately is the biggest reward of it all. Sometimes, I feel that NOT being a natural at this was the biggest gift of them all. Because now I don’t take my skills/talent for granted at all. Every compliment, every time someone says they love a song I put out or anything of that nature, it hits a little deeper for me because I remember when that felt so far away, so I think I appreciate it more than someone who’s just always been polished if that makes any sense? 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a Hip-Hop artist. I write/record, I do live performances, I sell vinyl records of my albums, merch, and other commemorative items. 

If there is anything I’m known for, it is an extremely strong work ethic and a true passion for the music. 

I’m most proud of getting to a place as an MC and to a place with my art that I think most thought I couldn’t achieve. I think the works I’m most proud of are my songs “Bottled”, “I’m Blessed”, “Oh Lord” which was on Apollo Brown’s album, “What Up Doe”, and “Komplikated”. 

What sets me apart is, I think my range is wider than most. I feel like I’m comfortable in just about any style. I may have my preferences, but in the end, I feel like I can do it all, without forcing it, sounding unnatural, or sounding out of place. 

What matters most to you?
Morals & ethics. Without those, what matters? In my mind, nothing. Winning is only winning when you win within the rules of the game. Once you step outside the bounds of your moral compass or compromise what you believe is right or pure to gain some type of trophy, the trophy losses all the value and prestige that attracted you to it in the first place. 

Music. 

A world without good music is one not worth living in. It’s like food/water/shelter for the soul. 

Contact Info:

• Email: press@valid313.com
• Website: valid313.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valid313/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Valid313
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/valid313
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/valid313
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/valid313
• Other: https://valid313.square.site/s/shop

Image Credits
Paul Lee
Sublime Crown