Victony Turns ‘Life’s Lemons Into Powerful Art’ With ‘Stubborn’ Debut Album

It’s been three years since the near-fatal car accident that claimed the life of one of Victony’s close friends, and he carries the burden of the traumatic crash with him every day. 

The Afropop sensation’s perspective on life forever shifted since the April 2021 wreck, which saw him have to re-learn how to walk following intensive surgery and physical therapy. 

Music was always there for Vic – born Anthony Victory – and he further poured that resilience into his creative process while crafting Stubborn, the 23-year-old’s debut LP, which hit streaming services on Friday (June 21).

“It represents overcoming adversity and transforming life’s ‘lemons’ into powerful art,” Victony tells Billboard of his new album. “I hope that when people listen to the album, they feel a sense of shared experience and inspiration to find strength and hope in their own journeys.”

Victony invites a versatile squad of collaborators into the fold, for some of which it’s their first time getting their feet wet in the Afrobeats scene. Teezo Touchdown, Saint JHN, Asake, Shallipoppi, and Shorae are among Stubborn’s special guests. 

Teezo and Vic hop into a time machine and bring fans to the dancefloor for the disco-tinged “Slow Down,” an undoubted standout showing off his versatility as an artist on the project. “We vibed instantly, and the session was full of experimentation,” the Nigerian artist adds of working with Teezo. “We wanted to create something that made people move, but also felt profound.”

Saint JHN sped up Vic’s creative process in what he’s crowned as the “quickest” artist he’s ever recorded with following an initial run-in in Los Angeles. “Tiny Apartment” tells a candid story of intimacy, an aspect of life that Ghetto Lenny is no stranger to exploring with his art.  

Victony will look to bring increased visibility to the global Afropop scene, but he sees it as more of an “opportunity than pressure” to deliver. 

Take a look deeper into the album’s credits and fans will notice Olamide Baddo is listed. Vic made it a point to show his appreciation for the influential African rapper and mentor, who helped him piece the project together. 

The “Soweto” singer will reunite with his Outlaws for a North American trek in support of his debut this summer. The Stubborn Tour kicks off in Boston on Aug. 8 and will run through NYC, Toronto, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles and more. 

Stream Stubborn below.