Victony has a fascinating personality, characterized by his unique fashion sense and distinct musical style, both of which boldly express his clear dissatisfaction with the status quo. This theme of rebellion and nonconformity is prominently featured in his sophomore EP, Outlaw. Through his music, he challenges societal norms and encourages listeners to question conventional boundaries. His style is a blend of edgy and avant-garde, making a statement with every appearance and performance.
Stylized as Vict0ny, he derived his stage name from a portmanteau of his middle name, Victor, and his first name, Anthony. He began as a rapper, posting freestyles and mixes inspired by artists like Kendrick Lamar and Drake. Vict0ny’s early works include a rap mixtape on SoundCloud with covers of hits such as Burna Boy’s On The Low, Tems’ Try Me, Kendrick Lamar’s DNA, and Cardi B’s Bodak Yellow. He followed this with singles like Menace, 2mins in Space, and S.M.S (Sing My Song) featuring Zichy. Although S.M.S contained Hip-Hop elements, the freestyles hinted at his future experimentation with Afropop melodies, and his unfolding musical ingenuity.
At the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, while Nigeria and the world stayed at home, Vict0ny released Saturn, an EP that showcased his emerging talent and his growing affinity for Afrobeats. He had barely arrived on the scene when he got involved in a ghastly accident days after dropping Broken. Around 3 a.m. on April 26, 2021, Vict0ny was on his way home from the club with friends when they got into a fatal accident. The accident claimed the life of his friend Doyin and left Vict0ny unable to walk for many months. Prayers poured in from both fans and fellow artists. After surviving the crash, Victony relied on a wheelchair for mobility. Following his release from the hospital, he spent most of the year in a wheelchair and continued his healing process on crutches. Despite these challenges, he never stopped making music. He admitted that music accelerated his recovery. “Music is how I live. Music helped me get out of that phase faster. Just listening to my unreleased work, seeing how much work I still needed to put in, and how much I couldn’t wait for the world to hear what I had at the time. Honestly, that kept me going.” He rose from the tragedy, releasing a two-pack EP, Dark Times. Dark Times was more or less Vict0ny’s mourning of the past, and a steadfast optimism of better days ahead.
On Pray, a track from Dark Times, he transitions from grief to gratitude for the support from his family, friends, and fans. In Unfamiliar Realms, he sings of his anguish: “Don’t know myself/Another realm inside my head/Can’t tell me hell is not my residence/The devil’s here and then he plays with my intelligence.” Dark Times received acclaim, propelling Vict0ny to new heights. He collaborated on tracks such as Savage’s Rosemary, Krizbeatz’s Time & Place with Terri, and Mayorkun’s Holy Father. The latter was the game changer, powered by his striking falsetto, like a shot in the arm, Vict0ny’s chorus fired the song into the minds and hearts of music listeners around the globe. He just arrived at a good place, but he was just getting started, “I’m still learning.” He acknowledged, despite the significant progress he had made with his career.
On Christmas Day 2021, at Davido’s A Decade of Davido concert, Vict0ny rose to his feet for the first time after his accident and performed Holy Father aided physically by Davido and Mayorkun. This act symbolized two significant milestones: his recovery and acceptance into the elite class of Nigerian music stars. The chosen track was also perfect, attributing his recovery and level up to the power of God. He would later go on to attribute these powers to Bum Bum in All Powers, a track off Outlaw EP.
2022 kicked off with a bang for the Imo State-born Afropop star as he featured on DJ Boat’s Old School Love. He went on to release the P.Priime-produced banger Apollo and the introspective track Kolomental. These releases set the stage for the brilliant Outlaw EP, which is arguably his finest project to date. The Outlaw EP introduced Outlawville, an alternate universe created by the 23-year-old Afrobeats artist to symbolize an area of unbridled self-expression. Here, Vict0ny showcases his mastery over his stylistic choices, seamlessly blending various production styles to create euphoric results. Outlawville has grown into a community of people who love Vict0ny’s music and adore his fashion style.
The EP opens with Outlaw, which he describes as a powerful reflection of his life and a vivid projection of his future. “Every time I listen to that song, it just gives me a flashback of everything that’s happened in my life and paints vivid pictures of what the future is going to be,” he explains. “That song embodies every emotion that I felt at the time.”
One standout single from Outlaw is Soweto, produced by Vict0ny’s favorite producer, Tempoe. The track’s infectious rhythms, mid-tempo drums, and flute melody propelled Vict0ny’s star power to new heights. Soweto climbed the music charts globally, became a party anthem, and was a staple on TikTok. Its popularity led to African and international remixes featuring artists like Rema, Omah Lay, and Don Toliver.
While his music has gone international, his style has also assumed a new look. Vict0ny has adopted a more polished and sophisticated look, often favoring retro-styled clothing that exudes class and elegance. This intentional choice reflects the level of meticulousness he applies to all aspects of his creative processes. His fashion evolution mirrors his musical journey, marked by carefully blending modern and classic elements.
This refined aesthetic is especially evident in the singles he has released in anticipation of his forthcoming debut album, Stubborn. Each release has been a strategic move, showcasing his versatility and growth as an artist. Starting with My Darling and Angelus, Vict0ny has demonstrated his ability to craft compelling melodies over spare, yet impactful instrumentals featuring bass guitars, soft drum pads, and steady percussion. His unforgettable falsetto ties these elements together, creating a signature sound that resonates deeply with his audience.
Following these tracks, he released Jaga Jaga in collaboration with Baby AV, achieving a unique harmony that highlights his collaborative spirit. Then came No Joke, a track that further solidified his reputation for innovative sounds. On Ohema, Vict0ny’s ingenuity struck again as he brought together an impressive ensemble of 15 artists and three producers. The track features verses from Crayon and Bella Shmurda, as well as contributions from Lojay, Ayra Starr, Rema, Bloody Civilian, Odumodublvck, and Blaqbonez, celebrating Afrobeats, a genre, the world is still catching up to. Vict0ny began this year exploring themes of commitment and love in Everything, followed by the titular track of his debut album, Stubborn, featuring Asake. In Stubborn, he reinforces his rebellious nature, a recurring theme in his music and persona.
Vict0ny’s album has been a long time coming. Last year, he became a breath of fresh air to the way Nigerian artists previewed upcoming records, taking to captivating fans with innovative marketing strategies, different from outrage marketing. The efforts were part of his build-up to introducing “Ebele Music,” a concept that has intrigued and engaged his audience. He paid homage to legendary Nigerian musicians such as Ebenezer Obey, Bright Chimezie, King Sunny Ade, Patty Obassey, and Oliver De Coque, for their timeless contributions with the phrase “LEGENDS NEVER DIE.” He shared tantalizing snippets featuring acts like Blaqbonez and Odumodublvck, along with appearances by comedians Nasboi, Shank, and Broda Shaggi. The sound of his new music is both refreshing and nostalgic, blending the essence of past musical greats with a contemporary twist. Through these songs, Vict0ny bridges the gap between generations, offering a forward-looking vision rooted in the rich heritage of Nigerian music.
Vict0ny’s musical rise is a story of resilience and talent. Undeterred by personal tragedy, he has proven unstoppable in his pursuit of musical success. His global appeal has since grown since his feature on Burna Boy’s Grammy-nominated album Love, Damini, further establishing his presence on the international stage. Remarkably, he has achieved all this while balancing his academic responsibilities at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO). This achievement fulfills a prophecy he made, reflecting his determination and perseverance: “I must go thru this hell to find my heaven.”
Vict0ny’s debut album, Stubborn arrived last Friday and features Shallipopi, Saint Jhn, Shorae Moore, and Teezo Touchdown. This 14-track project is expected to solidify Vict0ny’s status as one of the continent’s brightest stars, showcasing his ability to transform pain and grief into beauty and strength.
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