“MI Abaga, Odumodublvck, Shallipopi Inspired Me” – Singer Victony names rap artists that influenced him

Anthony Ebuka Victor, also known as Victony, a notable Nigerian rapper, has spoken about his rap influences.

The musician, who began his career as a rapper before transitioning to other genres, said his hip-hop inspirations include global heavyweights like Kendrick Lamar, Drake, J.Cole, and Meek Mill, and his compatriots MI Abaga, Odumodublvck and Shallipopi.

Victony stated in a recent interview with Sway Universe, “I started [my career] as a rapper. I really looked up to Kendrick Lamar earlier in my career because of his artistry. Kendrick is that one rapper who is not just about what he says but also his visualization and the way he presents it to his fans. That made me a strong fan of Kendrick.

“I also likes Drake because of his flexibility. He’s one of the first Americans to hop on the Afrobeats wave. I was a fan of Drake before that. Obviously, I listened to J.Cole as well. I listened to some Meek Mill.

“MI Abaga inspires me too, because he was one of the rappers that popularized the genre in Nigeria and made young artists believed it was possible to be successful as a rapper in the country. Now, we have the likes of Odumodublvck and Shallipopi. Odumodublvck just did his US tour. Rap is becoming big in Nigeria. Sometimes, I blend it with afrobeats.”

Victony said he hopes to inspire other Nigerian youth to pursue their dreams.

“I am doing this for Doyin. I am doing this for the kids in Ojo. I hope that they look at me and get inspired,” he said.