Lil Tino: Saying “Yea Yea” to Growth, Grit, and God’s Timing
- Greg Lewis
- Jan 11
- 4 min read
Written by: Greg Lewis
Published on January 11, 2026, 5:00p.m. EST
At 29 years old, Valentino Gilkey, known professionally as Lil Tino, stands at a pivotal intersection — where hunger meets clarity, and pain transforms into purpose. Born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, Lil Tino is not just navigating the next phase of his career; he’s defining it on his own terms.
His latest record, “Yea Yea,” doesn’t arrive as a trendy single or a fleeting moment — it lands as a statement. A reflection. A release. For Lil Tino, the record represents far more than music; it marks a chapter of survival, self-belief, and spiritual grounding.
“This record was me letting the world know what I been going through and how I’m feeling.”
A Record That Had to Be Made
When asked about the creative spark behind “Yea Yea,” Lil Tino keeps it raw. The song wasn’t forced or strategically planned — it was necessary.
After hearing the beat, everything aligned. At the time, he was carrying the weight of personal struggles and mental pressure. Instead of folding under it, he channeled it into art.
“Yea Yea was a song I feel I needed for my career,” he explains. “I had a lot on my mind that I needed to express.”
That urgency comes through most clearly in the second verse — a moment that feels less like rap and more like confession.
“Came up from shit and I do not regret it /
Momma know her baby gone be a legend…”
Those bars represent distance traveled — not just musically, but mentally and spiritually.
Letting the Artist Be an Artist
Growth often requires the right people. For Lil Tino, bringing on a new management team marked a shift — not in control, but in trust.
“They honestly let me be an artist,” he says. “And I appreciate that.”
Beyond the studio, Lil Tino is focused on learning the business side of music — asking questions, studying structure, and building long-term vision.
“I want them to see I’m more than just an artist,” he adds. “I want to be better on the business side too.”
The defining moment came before the paperwork. His team drove six hours from Atlanta just to make things official — a gesture that spoke louder than any promise.
“I’m big on actions,” Lil Tino says. “That’s why I chose them.”
First Tour, Real Validation
Lil Tino’s first three-city tour wasn’t driven by hype or numbers — it was about experience.
“It felt like living like a rock star,” he says.
Traveling city to city, meeting fans who once existed only online, and performing for people who knew his words created a new sense of purpose. The tour wasn’t about money, though it covered itself — it was about proof.
That proof became undeniable during the final stop in Atlanta.
“Memphis is home. Mississippi was good. But Atlanta — that’s when it kicked in.”
Phones buzzing. Interview requests coming in. Fans pulling up. His manager fielding calls.
“That was the moment I realized this is really happening.”
Giving Back Where It Matters
Outside the spotlight, Lil Tino remains grounded in service — particularly with youth at the Juvenile Detention Center.
“I’m just like half the boys I met down there,” he says. “Young, Black, and misunderstood.”
Instead of judgment, he offers motivation. Instead of lectures, he gives perspective.
“You don’t have to look like what you go through. Grow through it.”
He wants the kids to leave knowing they were built differently — on purpose.
Artist Development in a Copy-Paste Era
In a fast-paced industry chasing virality, Lil Tino still believes in development.
“That’s the stage where you should be fully focused on getting better,” he says. “I went through it myself — and I’m still learning.”
While he gives credit to today’s wave of women dominating hip-hop — especially fellow Memphian GloRilla — he’s honest about the culture’s shortcomings.
“Everybody wanna fit in instead of stand out,” he says. “There’s no real substance.”
Memphis DNA
Lil Tino wears his city with pride.
“We raw with it,” he says. “What you see is what you get.”
Memphis doesn’t follow trends — it sets them. The city’s grit, honesty, and originality shape artists who don’t need polish to be powerful.
“We really a different breed.”
The Legacy of Lil Tino
When asked about legacy, Lil Tino keeps it simple — but intentional.
He wants people to be inspired by his journey, now and later. Proof that belief and work ethic still matter.
“I want people to see all it takes is hard work and belief,” he says. “I want to be considered the GOAT when it’s all said and done.”
Not just for success — but for consistency, growth, and faith.
Because “Yea Yea” isn’t just a song.
It’s a mindset.
And a declaration that Lil Tino is only getting started.
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