Valedictorian (mixtape)
Valedictorian is the debut mixtape by American rapper Ian. It was released on May 17, 2024, by BuVision Entertainment, Columbia Records, and Dogdog Records. The mixtape includes production from Sxprano, rapper tana, and more. The deluxe edition was released two weeks later on May 31, 2024.
Background
His debut mixtape, Ian invited his grandmother and mother to announce the release.Reception
The mixtape was panned by both listeners and critics. The mixtape received a 4.1/10 from Alphonse Pierre of Pitchfork, with him saying: "That said, none of Valedictorian is unlistenable—just devoid of any personality or imagination. Performing an amalgamation of melodic regional rap of the last decade or so, ian lacks the ability or intention to do anything other than replicate music that already exists".Zachary Horvath of HotNewHipHop wrote: "He knows how to create straight bangers with some hilariously blunt similes".