Victony Opens Up on New Album ‘Starlife’ and How ‘Soweto’ Inspired Him to Keep Experimenting
Nigerian singer Anthony Victor, popularly known as Victony, has opened up about the creative journey behind his new album Starlife, revealing that the unexpected success of his 2022 breakout hit “Soweto” encouraged him to continue taking risks with his music.
Released on August 21, 2026, Starlife is Victony’s second studio album and arrives two years after his debut album, Stubborn. Interestingly, the project was not originally intended to be an album at all.
According to Victony, the creative process for Starlife began in February with plans to release just a four-song EP.
However, the recording process took on a life of its own after the release of “FRE$H”, which sparked more creativity and encouraged him to keep recording.
The project eventually grew into a mixtape before becoming a 15-track album.
Victony explained that by the time the album was taking shape, removing any of the songs felt wrong because each track contributed to the story he wanted to tell.
The singer says Starlife represents a different stage of his artistic journey.
While his 2024 debut album Stubborn was largely about proving his musical ability, Victony says his new project is more personal.
He explained that his personality is now shining more clearly through his music, describing Starlife as his way of telling listeners how he feels at this point in his life.
The project therefore represents more than another collection of songs. It captures Victony’s current mindset, growth and willingness to explore different sounds.
One of the biggest influences on Victony’s creative confidence was “Soweto.”
The 2022 hit was one of his earliest serious experiments with Afrobeats after initially identifying more as a rapper.
The song went on to become an international success. Its original version peaked at No. 5 on the UK Official Afrobeats Chart, while the remix featuring Rema reached No. 1. An expanded version featuring Don Toliver and Tempoe also entered the UK’s main Official Singles Chart.
For Victony, the reaction to “Soweto” proved that taking creative risks could pay off.
He explained that seeing how far the song travelled encouraged him to keep experimenting rather than attempting to reproduce the success of previous releases.
Victony also revealed that he deliberately avoids putting pressure on himself to make every new song bigger than the previous one.
According to the singer, constantly trying to outperform an earlier hit can take away from the joy of creating music.
Instead, his goal is simply to make every new project his best work, regardless of the commercial outcome.
That philosophy is evident throughout Starlife, where he explores sounds beyond the melodic Afropop and R&B influences that audiences have come to associate with him.
One example is “Clear,” a more aggressive record that pushes Victony outside his usual vocal comfort zone.
The singer described the song as a challenge to himself and one of the biggest risks he took on the album.
However, he says the experimentation still maintains the personality that makes his music recognisable.
The album also features collaborations with BNXN, Blaqbonez, YKB, Babyboy AV, Young Jonn and FOLA, reflecting Victony’s reputation as a highly collaborative artist.
Another standout moment in Victony’s recent evolution is “SLICK,” which has surpassed 40 million global streams.
The song earned a cover from American singer Summer Walker, while also becoming Victony’s first solo No. 1 on Nigeria’s Official Charts.
It reached No. 1 on the UK Official Afrobeats Chart and No. 2 on Billboard’s U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart.
For an artist who once recorded songs in bedrooms and kitchens in Lagos, Victony says seeing his music reach audiences around the world remains something he is deeply grateful for.
With Starlife, he appears determined not to be restricted by the sound that first made him famous.
If “Soweto” gave Victony the confidence to experiment, Starlife is his latest evidence that he intends to keep pushing those boundaries.
For Victony, the goal isn’t to recreate the past — it’s to discover what comes next.
