Up-and-coming artist Victony is working his way up the ranks. From SoundCloud drops to being streamed by millions on Spotify, Victony is no longer just being inspired by rappers and singers like Kendrick Lamar, Drake, and Burna Boy but is working alongside some and carving his own space in the industry based on authenticity and refusing to conform or fit in, which is something you can see in his latest EP Outlaw. Victony is taking the industry by storm from the outside in.
Can you introduce yourself to our readers who are meeting you for the first time? What are some core things people need to know about you?
My name is Anthony Ebuka Victor, a 21-year-old Afrobeats singer, songwriter, and artist. I do not just Afrobeats because I do a little bit of everything. I make music for everyone; no gender or age group is excluded.
Core things to know: I am not to be put in a box. I believe that everyone should be celebrated for their uniqueness, which is something I share in my music.
Core things to know: I am not to be put in a box. I believe that everyone should be celebrated for their uniqueness, which is something I share in my music.
You've been steadily growing in the music scene, from Soundcloud to Spotify and stage performances, what's been the biggest change or growing experience for you?
Oddly enough, the biggest change for me was the period I dropped the Saturn EP. The reception from the Saturn EP made me understand the possibilities of where my dreams could reach which is literally what you’re seeing right now. It was one of my biggest growing experiences because that’s when I introduced ‘Victony the singer,’ it was the transition period that has birthed all these wonderful things right now.
Outlaw is the name of your new EP and the name you've given your fanbase, when was the first time you felt like you didn't fit in?
Growing up I’ve always felt odd and out of place. Way before I started dropping music, I had been calling myself the Outlaw King; that has been my identity. In a world where being yourself is seen as weird, fitting in has been difficult for as long as I can remember.
Now, what has music done for that identity or feeling?
My music has aided me to step into that persona more and be even more unapologetic with it. I call my fans Outlaws because these are the people that connect to my message and through my music, I have created a safe space where they can come as they are and help them be more grounded in themselves regardless of what anyone else thinks.
Your sounds from singles like Menace in 2019, your first EP Saturn in 2020, and your latest released EP Outlaw show some real versatility. Transitions from rapping to singing, leaning into the traditional Afrobeats and your narrative style lyrics, do you feel like you have to stay in a certain music genre, or are you trying it all?
I wouldn’t say I’m trying to do everything, what’s important to me is expressing myself in the most authentic way possible, so a couple of years ago, rapping was the medium. Today it’s Afropop and Afrobeats. Change is constant and creative expression is bound to evolve over time so stoically sticking to one music genre isn’t something I subscribe to.
I’m at a point where I’ve crafted my art and sound where anyone can say “This is Victony,” regardless of any genre I’m in.
I’m at a point where I’ve crafted my art and sound where anyone can say “This is Victony,” regardless of any genre I’m in.
Whose work and what music has been inspiring you since the beginning or very recently?
When I was really young, artists like Kendrick Lamar and Drake were my biggest inspiration. Starting off as a young rapper, these were the idols that influenced my writing. I remember how I would try to imitate them in my earlier rap records. Recently it’s been Burna Boy, his songwriting skills are second to none, and songwriting is an aspect of music I take very seriously.
What’s currently your favourite track on Outlaw and why?
If I said I could pick a favourite, I’d be lying. Each song on Outlaw has a specific story and vibe. Working on each song felt special and they all mean a lot to me. Every song was my favourite at some point.
If ‘Outlawville’ was a real place, what would it look like and what would make it different from anywhere you’ve lived before?
Like I said, Outlaw was born out of a need to be as unique and authentic as possible. So Outlawville would be a place where you’re allowed to be yourself and do whatever you want. You don’t get that a lot in the real world, everyone is always trying to change who you are and force you to fit in. Outlawville will definitely oppose everything ‘the real world’ stands for.
Afrobeat music is ubiquitous and African artists have been catching like wildfire on social media spaces like TikTok and Instagram and garnering global attention. Everyone who's not African is jumping on the sound or trying to get a feature. What are you bringing to the African music scene?
Not to sound cocky but I’m bringing Victony. As an artist in the African music scene today, the best thing you can do is be you because there’s really no set formula to this. I’m bringing multifacetedness and versatility. I’m bringing my original expression, a story my fans connect to.
You’ve had a really turbulent last couple of years, like the world you lived through a global pandemic, but personally navigated a tragic accident and immense loss. What has kept you going?
The music and my fans. During the times I couldn’t walk, all I had was the music really. Having so much time to myself and not being able to do as much, I was stuck with my thoughts and that pushed me to record more.
The love from my fans as well has been a major source of strength for me to keep going, seeing reactions to my art moves me to delve deeper into myself, to keep creating things that put a smile on the faces of my fans and to help them through challenging times as well. Just knowing that people genuinely care about you makes all the difference.
The love from my fans as well has been a major source of strength for me to keep going, seeing reactions to my art moves me to delve deeper into myself, to keep creating things that put a smile on the faces of my fans and to help them through challenging times as well. Just knowing that people genuinely care about you makes all the difference.