Care about the business side as much as the art. Beyond protecting your income and using it wisely, a solid business approach supports everything else — having structure is key to sustainability.
As a part of our interview series with leaders, stars, and rising stars in the music industry, we had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Victony.
Victony is a 23-year-old rapper and singer from Nigeria. He rapidly became one of Afropop’s hottest new voices by blending Nigerian roots with hip-hop/R&B. His breakout hit “Soweto,” featuring Rema and Don Toliver, has garnered over 250M streams and 132M YouTube views. The track’s success led to a remix with Tems and Don Toliver. His current viral song “Risk” has over 416K TikTok videos created with the sound.
Victony’s debut album, Stubborn, which released this past summer features collaborations with Teezo Touchdown, Asake, Saint JHN, and Shallipoppi. Known for his boundary-pushing, fashion-forward persona, Victony blends Nigerian designers with streetwear to showcase his heritage and aesthetic.
Following a near-fatal accident that claimed his best friend’s life, Victony underwent extensive surgery and rehab to learn how to walk again. Stubborn marks his resilient return to the stage, accompanied by a full rebrand and new visual identity. Victony propels Afrobeats forward, fusing diverse genres and captivating global audiences with his infectious sound. Victony officially began his music career in 2017 with the release of his mixtape, The Outlaw King. He developed a more dynamic artistry as a rapper, blending R&B, Trap, and Afropop to showcase his versatility.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive in, our readers would love to learn a bit about your “origin story”. Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
I grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, specifically in Ojo, where my experiences shaped who I am today. I come from a simple Christian household; my parents are deeply rooted Catholics who instilled in me strong values that helped me resist the influences of the Ojo environment. Growing up in an area like Ojo, which is often affected by cultism and armed robbery, I knew I wanted to pursue an education and take a different path. I eventually moved to Imo State, in eastern Nigeria, for university at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), where I studied petroleum engineering and began my musical career.
What inspired you to pursue a career in music, and how did your journey begin?
My love for music inspired me to pursue my career. My journey began as early as I can remember—I’ve always wanted to do this. I started by imitating my favorite artists, and now here I am carving my own niche in the industry. Although my career truly began when I entered university, where I had the opportunity to experiment, explore different sounds, and hone my craft. Then, in 2020, the global pandemic hit, giving me more down time and ultimately a chance to release my first single as a professional artist.
Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
One interesting part of my journey has been switching from rapping to singing. During my time as a rapper, I used to think singers had it easier, but now I know that singing is just as technical. Being on the outside, you don’t always understand how things work, so it’s been fascinating to switch sides in my career.
It has been said that sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
“A funny story—I once assumed I didn’t need a camera and could do everything with my iPhone. I’ve since learned that investing in a professional camera is far from a waste; it’s actually a smart investment. Looking back, I realize it was a pretty silly assumption.”
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
Yes, I’m particularly grateful to my sister, Elo, for all the help she has given me and continues to give. I remember how she used to take me on early bus rides to talent shows and events. It was tough for her because the distance from Ojo to other parts of Lagos was considerable, yet she always made time to help me get closer to my dreams. I started my career by posting freestyle videos on Instagram, and at that time, I didn’t have a phone of my own, so I used hers. Even after I moved out, she made sure I never lacked anything, sending me money and checking in constantly to make sure I was doing well.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?
That would be my album, Stubborn. Although I released it a few months ago, it still feels like I just put it out last night because the ideas are still flowing. I can’t wait to see the full picture as I carry out everything I’ve planned for the album. I’ve never felt this way about any other project before, and that’s why I’m so excited about it.
We are very interested in diversity in the entertainment industry. Can you share three reasons with our readers about why you think it’s important to have diversity represented in music, film, and television? How can that potentially affect our culture?
I believe diversity in the entertainment industry is essential because it fuels creativity. Exploring different forms of art broadens the mind and allows us to see things from new perspectives. For instance, someone who works in both film and music might approach a song with a stronger visual sense than a typical artist, even creating music inspired by the idea of a music video first. This cross-disciplinary creativity is what drives us forward — the passion to keep creating something fresh and new.
As a successful music star, you’ve likely faced challenges along the way. How do you stay motivated? How do you overcome obstacles in your career?
Honestly, my belief in God helps me through it all.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why?
- Care about the business side as much as the art. Beyond protecting your income and using it wisely, a solid business approach supports everything else — having structure is key to sustainability.
- Sometimes, certain things take time, especially when you’re doing something different and bringing a fresh perspective that people haven’t seen before. Don’t expect immediate understanding; just stay consistent. That’s something I didn’t realize at first. When I’d put out something new and people didn’t react as I’d hoped, I’d start doubting myself, thinking something was wrong. But some things just take time — you have to keep believing and stay consistent.
- I wish someone had told me that my personal life is just as important as my music career — they go hand in hand. If you don’t take care of yourself, you’ll get burnt out. I’ve been through this before; I was so focused on my work that I neglected my personal well-being, and it didn’t end well.
- I also wish someone told me that people in the industry aren’t as transparent as they seem, you never know anyone’s intention.
- I definitely wish someone had told me that this isn’t just about storytelling. One of my main purposes in making music is to tell my story and express who I am, but it’s actually more than that. It requires recognizing that you are of service to others. I believe artists are chosen people in this world, and we’re here to serve — that’s why we have this gift. Being in the industry has deepened my understanding of this.
Can you share some insights into your creative process? How do you approach songwriting? How do you approach musical collaborations?
My creative process starts with a commitment to making everything I do as original as possible, ensuring it’s unique to me. I draw inspiration by telling my story in the most artistic way, whether through audio or visuals. I aim to present it in a way that carries a bit of mystery, providing hints for people to figure out what I’m expressing. Ultimately, I’m talking about real events that have happened or are currently happening in my life.
My songwriting process is quite similar. I like to think of melodies first because they’re the fastest way to connect with people. It’s not just about the language or the words; it’s how the melody makes people feel. Once I have a melody, I work on the lyrics, which can be mysterious, plain, or very direct.
In collaborations, as a featured artist, I dive into the other artist’s mindset to understand their emotions. This allows me to tap into their vibe and express it from my point of view. I prefer to join the journey rather than take charge or control.
Your music has resonated with so many fans worldwide. What do you believe sets your music apart?
One thing that truly sets my music apart is my voice and how I use it. While I could just sing because I can, I’m intentional about my vocal choices, which stems from my extensive knowledge of different genres. I listen to a wide variety of genres and combine them to create something fresh and unique. This is what I believe distinguishes my music.
How do you connect with your audience?
I connect with my audience primarily through my music but of course through my social channels and my shows as well. I like to show personality through these platforms with my songs and performances.
With your busy schedule and demanding performances, how do you prioritize self-care and maintain a balance between your personal life and career in the music industry?
In balancing my personal life and music career, I like to set boundaries. I set a time for everything so nothing clashes and it’s comfortable for me. Each day, I wake up, say my prayers, and then plan my tasks to take my career a step further. When I feel like I’ve accomplished something, I try to do something fun around midday or in the evening, then catch some sleep before waking up to do more recording. I make sure to stay aware of how much time I spend on both my career and personal life.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
Hmmm, I think it’d have to do with the educational sector, and creating more opportunities for education. I believe illiteracy is a challenge still faced by many of my people, and that is something I’d want to change. I believe if more people had access to education, my country (and the world) would be a better place.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
That would have to be Christopher Nolan, because when I watch his movies I want to know what runs through his mind and understand how he thinks and how his mind works cause I don’t know if he’s human at all, yeah it’s fascinating how he thinks.
How can our readers continue to follow your work online?
Through my social media accounts! It’s @Vict0ny across all platforms!
This was very meaningful, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!
Thank you for having me!
This was very meaningful, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!
Rising Music Star Victony On The Five Things You Need To Shine In The Music Industry was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.