- Victony’s Stubborn shines with compelling story and punchlines
- The album, inspired by his traumatic accident in 2021, features Asake, Shallipopi amongst others
- The album deserves more credit from critics
Stories are indeed powerful. As humans, we live in a web of unending stories and as such, Nigerian singer Anthony Victor’s album is a catalogue of compelling stories, emotions and punchlines - solid sonic for a debut.
Stubborn, the album title can connote several meanings under different contextual palaces. Think of a goat, for instance, the word stubborn clearly shows how no matter how it is driven away from something, it will always come back to it. However, metaphorically, it represents Victony’s resilient return to music and the essence of staying true to oneself.
The aphorism that ‘Great art comes great pain’ also reflects the inspiration behind the Imo indigene’s 14-track album, one that reflects on his journey of recovery and determination and mostly inspires listeners to find strength in the midst of challenges.
In 2021, the artiste was involved in a ghastly accident where he lost a close friend while he (Victony) was confined to a wheelchair for a year. The journey of surviving that comatose experience, according to him, also spurred the inspiration for Stubborn.
It particularly shaped his perception of life and music, influencing the themes of his debut greatly. In a statement before his album release,
Victony said, "This album represents my story and everything I’ve had to overcome over the past years. It’s not just about reflecting on the trials and tribulations you inevitably face but also relishing in the abundance that life has to offer."
The 23-year-old singer, who rose to stardom with his viral for his single Soweto started his music career in 2017. The release of his mixtape, The Outlaw King, saw him take his place to be recognised as a unique talent.
Reviewing Victony’s ‘Stubborn’ album
‘Oshaprapra’ loosely means ‘to be dope.’ This is the first track on the Stubborn album, and it features Shorae Moore. The sonic and solemn tempo is a worthy entry to emphasise Victony’s resilience to overcome hurdles in his life and musical career. He mutters “Them fit reach like, one billion times 33…but I still stand gidi, stand gidi gan. and I've been through hell still, mo Shaprapra” as a testament to his unflinching resilience to life. This simply shows how Victony wears determination as ‘bulletproof’ against challenges to stay stronger in the game. The slow-paced rhythm plays with minimal and soft drums to allow the listeners to pay attention to the relatable and compelling punch lines.
His second track History goes down memory lane to reminisce and recount Victony’s early beginning, ‘when e be no clear, which one be the night or day as he sang. The sound production also follows a minimal approach to amplify his vocals and lyrics. He recounts how his life has changed from just a secondary school boy with no direction to one of stardom, today. “Now, everything nice and sweet, remember that time?”
Tracklist of Stubborn album
Stubborn features a collaboration with his colleague Shallipopi on Ludo. The mid-paced track saw Shallipopi’s predictable and laid-back entry - a usual and over-familiar rendition. Salvaged by Victony’s vocals, Shallipopi didn't do so much to elevate the song. Notably, Victony’s team-up with SAINt JHN on Tiny Apartment made quite an impression regardless. It follows the story of a love that blossomed in his tiny apartment. However, when his lover left him, she didn't leave with her memories. ‘My beautiful darkness’ as he described her shows everything in his tiny apartment, where it all began, haunts him and reminds him of what they used to share. The storytelling is amazing and listeners follow to the end.
His 9th track Stubborn, featuring Asake, and 5th track, Everything are arguably the most unique entries on this album. Everything samples Post Malone’s ‘Sunflower’ to create a sonic and irresistible melody serenading a lover. The beat, vocals and production didn't miss at all. For ‘Stubborn,’ the fusion with Asake flowed seamlessly. The best collaboration on the album. It highlighted the theme of perseverance and resilience in the music game with the word ‘stubborn.’ Victony says You know I've been riding solo, before my Tori get promo. Me I no dey hear, I stubborn.
Tracks like Pier 46, Anita, and Slow Down featuring Teezo Touchdown are renditions that serenade lovers, reminiscing on beautiful memories and the desire for more affection. It follows a soft and emotional approach that captures Victony as a loverboy.
Stubborn album amid amazing tracks closes strongly with Street Affair, The message is crucial and relevant, especially in today's world where everybody wears an invisible tag that reads, ‘trust nobody.’
Here, Victony explores the concept of trust and loyalty in friendship - the ones we confide in and share our deepest secrets. He bemoaned how trust, in its sense, has become a scarce commodity. How people you call friends end up snitching on you with secrets you've trusted them to keep. “Na why I dey steady dey pray. Make my family meeting no turn to street Affairs,” he sings in the chorus.
This album captured Victony's ability to turn his resilience, pain and challenges into a beautiful work of art. It also shows the artiste’s vulnerability and struggles to stay true to himself despite the hurdles he had to cross.
Experimenting with different genres, from Afropop to Amapiano and disco-influenced songs, the 23-year-old artiste has proven his versatility in the music industry. He also explored cultural identity as a theme, which was visible in his use of Nigerian cultural elements and language—Yoruba, Igbo, and Pidgin.
Aside from a few flaws, such as monotonous beats and glitches in the seamless flow of one track to another, Victony indeed created something artistic. The real question remains: why is this album not getting more credit?
Album Review: “HEIS” is Rema’s monotonous outburst for recognition
Earlier, TheRadar reviewed Rema’s album, HEIS, which was released on July 11. It heralded an evolution in the 24-year-old's artistic journey, but it signalled a monotonous outburst to seek recognition.
Considering the title of the album and its meaning, Rema, born Divine Ikubor, made a rather bold declaration of himself as “number one” in the music game - a claim that is sure to be contested.
