Earning money through sex work is the underlying theme of local singer and songwriter Valley Latini’s recent single “Pay My Rent.” Her job as a stripper informed the song.

Originally from Columbia, Latini was recently naturalized as a U.S. citizen, making her more at ease with expressing herself.  

“I was able to release the song ‘Ask Me Why’ without any fear,” said Latini of the new single that she wrote with Ben Cina. The song is candid about the “ugliness of being in love,” and also learning to love yourself in the midst of heartbreak. “I just feel more free to be outspoken about what I really believe,” she said.