Ricardo Valentine Jr., professionally known as 6lack — pronounced “black” — told GQ magazine in 2017 how he struggled to make ends meet during his first five years in the music industry. When his finances were at their lowest, he frequently did not know how he would pay for his next meal; when he wasn’t sofa surfing, he slept in a studio.
East Atlanta-born R&B/rap artist, age 29, has since experienced a change in fortunes. Not only does 6lack have a string of successes under his belt, including “Prblms,” “Pretty Little Fears,” and “Calling My Phone, as well as three Grammy nominations, but he recently spent just over $2 million on a Los Angeles location in the desirable San Fernando Valley neighborhood of Sherman Oaks.
The home, which was originally constructed in the 1940s, has recently undergone extensive renovation and expansion. In its current incarnation, the newly contemporary structure has four bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms in a little over 2,700 square feet of updated living space with natural oak wood floors, custom cabinetry, designer light fixtures, and wood-clad and wallpapered accent walls. Along the property’s rear, floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors provide the classic SoCal indoor/outdoor lifestyle.
A sleekly designed gourmet kitchen with high-end Bertazzoni appliances, Vadara quartz countertops, an eat-in island, and a sophisticated wine display are among the highlights. An adjacent breakfast nook connects to a family room with a linear fireplace and sliding glass doors that open to the grounds. Additionally, there is a private office with a complete bathroom.
Under a vaulted ceiling, the master suite features a custom walk-in closet as well as a luxurious bathroom with dual vanities and a large glass-enclosed shower; and outdoors, the artificially turfed and fenced backyard features a freeform pool and spa flanked by a spacious cabana perfect for alfresco dining and entertaining. A Control4 smart-home automation system that operates surround sound, audio and video surveillance is the cherry on top.