Introducing Valentyna Zolotarova

Listen here to Valentyna, and labelmate D-Major lay down some beats.

Born in Ukraine, on the shore of the Black Sea, was Astro Records' latest prospect.

Valentyna Zolotarova is currently in the studio working on demo material with Astro Records Management. But hip hop isn't her only talent.

Since leaving Ukraine in 1996, Zolotarova has spent 3 years in Cyprus, and 4 years ago made Canada her home. These moves, and seeing so much of the world at a young age, have imprinted remarkably unforgettable experiences into her persona.

As a small child Valentyna realized that the only way to get anywhere in this world, is with 100% effort, and a large amount of hard work. For many kids, too much to bother with; for Valentyna, it's the only way to live.

At the age of 6, she was already learning to play piano, was dancing ballet, and practicing the martial arts... all in addition to an enriched program in school. As time evolved, she has taken different paths that sprung from this base.

By the time she moved to Cyprus, she was no longer actively persuing piano and ballet dancing -- instead, she was playing various instruments for the school choir, and studying ballroom dancing. Cyprus is also where she began an interest in hip hop music.. an interest that would not be wholly engulfing until arriving in Canada though.

In the past 4 years, Canada has exposed her to more hip hop than ever before in her life. She began rapping for school functions, and taking in the whole hip hop society that Canada offers. It is not her only Canadian accomplishment though.

Upon arriving, Canada had made her re-test for her brown belt she had earned in Cyprus. Nothing new to her, she went out and took her belt status back. The same year at the ISKF National Championships, she walked away with a gold medal. In 2000 and 2001, she successfully returned and defended that title, winning golds both years again. Valentyna currently is a black belt.

In 2002, Zolotarova was complimented by being crowned Miss Teen Model BC 2002, and Miss Teen Talent 2002.

2003 brought the NKA National Karate Championships. Valentyna leaves once again as gold medal winner. The highlight of the year though, was competing in the 2003 Pan-American Junior Championships in her hometown of Vancouver. She left the international competition holding 2 bronze medals.

Whether rapping, performing at a karate tournament, or simply relaxing and expressing her thoughts, her passionate feeling and love for what she does can easily be sensed.