Though initially deciding to study at the University of Sonora, Elizalde found the pull of music too alluring and began performing professionally at a young age. Performing soon opened doors to the recording world, and "El Gallo de Oro" was able to record his debut solo album, Regresan los Mafiosos, in 1999. Releasing a record per year for the next several years, Elizalde slowly worked to establish himself as an important figure in the norteño genre. A high point in his career was reached in 2006, when he was featured on the soundtrack for the Mexican film Al Otro Lado with the song "Sobre la Tumba de Mi Padre."

Valentin Elizalde was killed at the age of 27 on November 25, 2006. Elizalde and two companions, Mario Mendoza and Raymundo Ballesteros, were gunned down in an ambush in the city of Reynosa, 20 minutes after performing at a local fair. It is rumored that Elizalde's murder was in response to his lyrical commentary about Los Zetas, a mercenary force employed in the Mexican drug trade. The death of Valentin "El Gallo de Oro" Elizalde was viewed as a tragic loss by his fans. Many posthumous releases and dedications have been released to honor his memory. ~ Evan C. Gutierrez