Apple Music’s latest Africa Rising artist is Afrobeats singer, Victony

Apple Music today announced the latest featured artist in its Africa Rising artist development program as 20-year-old Nigerian-born singer, songwriter and rapper Victony (real name Anthony Ebuka Victor).

“Apple Music is opening the world to the beauty of African music and I’m glad to be one of the select few that are championing the new school sound and breaking boundaries in these exciting times. Love!” Victony tells Apple Music.

Born in Orsu, Imo in Nigeria, Victony’s foray into music started with his Soundcloud mixtape called, The Outlaw King (2017), and although he started out primarily rapping, he began to incorporate elements of trap, R&B and Afropop into his music showcasing his versatility, and experimenting with his sound.

After being in a car accident that almost claimed his life and the use of his legs, Victony was confined to a wheelchair for months during his recovery. But he didn’t let that deter him from making music, releasing several hit singles like the introspective “Pray”, and the upbeat collaboration with Mayorkun called “Holy Father”, as well as working with Grammy-winning producer Rexxie to release the two-single EP Nataraja (2021).

His latest EP, OUTLAW (2022), available to stream now on Apple Music in Spatial Audio, is a showcase of his meticulous musical arsenal. Spearheaded by single “Apollo” (that features a sample of the DJ Clock and Beatenberg smash hit “Pluto”), the EP is a tour de force of melodic elements, from the Afropop anthem “Chop and Slide featuring Burna Boy” to the slower, sensual beat of “Kolomental”.

The latest music from Victony along with that of Africa’s hottest new artists, is available now on the Apple Music Africa Rising Playlist.

Apple Music’s Africa Rising, is an exclusive artist development programme and companion playlist geared towards identifying, showcasing and elevating rising talent and introducing the next generation of African superstars. Africa Rising alumni to date include: Omah Lay, Manu Worldstar, Tems, Amaarae, Ayra Starr, Yaw Tog, Blxckie, Nikita Kering, Buju, FAVE and Nomfundo Moh. Africa Rising sees Apple Music select six artists every year who each receive a minimum of two months of editorial support across the Apple Music platform including a launch interview with Nadeska on Apple Music 1. Nadeska has also launched a new weekly Africa Rising feature on her show highlighting the hottest new artists on the continent.

Africa Rising is the latest of many Apple Music initiatives aimed at taking African talent to the world. Now available in 33 countries across Sub-Saharan Africa, Apple Music 1 is home to Africa Now Radio with host LootLove which has featured interviews with some of the continent’s hottest artists such as Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade, Cassper Nyovest, Mr Eazi, Patoranking, Rayvanny, Kiddominant, Mayorkun, Fireboy DML, Adekunle Gold, Master KG, Yaw Tog, Blxckie, Nikita Kering, Buju, FAVE and Nomfundo Moh.

Apple Music also selected Nigerian Afrobeats singer-songwriter Tems as its Up Next artist in 2021, Nigerian Afropop star Rema in 2020, Grammy Award-winning Afrofusion superstar Burna Boy in 2019, and Nigerian singer and entrepreneur Mr Eazi in 2017. Up Next is Apple Music’s global emerging artist program.