Victor, driven by a desire to share authentic stories through his music, quickly gained traction on social media, amassing millions of followers and views. Despite this success, Victor remains driven to prove himself—not to the world, but to his own standards. We had the opportunity to discuss his musical influences, upbringing, artistic aspirations, and future plans during our conversation with him.
SETTE: Your 2023 was incredibly busy with various activities like busking, stage performances, recording music, and creating content for social media. How is your music journey progressing?
It’s going smoothly. There are a lot of plates to spin and juggle, but so far, so good. I feel like I’m on top of it for now.
Your music journey gained traction when your busking performances went viral. How did you feel as you saw the numbers skyrocketing?
I was thrilled. It felt strange because I had been performing on the streets for four or five years at that point. I always hoped something like that would happen. It was kind of surreal, and it just continued to grow and hasn’t stopped since. I’m really grateful for it.
Did your rise to fame happen all at once, or did it grow steadily over time? Was there a moment when you woke up and thought, «Wow, what is happening?»
It started in 2021. I had been busking and posting videos for a few weeks on TikTok and Instagram. One day, I went busking with a friend and sang «Take Me To Church» by Hozier. My friend recorded a short clip, and we went home, had dinner, edited the video, and posted it. By the time we finished, it had about 500,000 views. It was crazy, nothing like that had happened before. That video kept gaining traction, and I continued recording and posting more content. The momentum just kept building from there.
Your life experiences span across Newcastle, London, and Uganda. How do you feel this diverse background has influenced or contributed creatively to the music you write?
I tend to write my songs with a lot of detail and rawness, drawing from my experiences. Growing up in Newcastle with an African mom instilled certain values in me, shaping my worldview and making me feel comfortable sharing my story through my lyrics. I’ve always sought freedom, and living in London, with its diversity, allows me to experience various walks of life. This significantly influences the way I see the world and tell stories through my music.
In your biography, you mentioned that your musical influences also come from Kenyan and Ugandan music. Could you elaborate on how these influences manifest in your music?
To be honest, the influences from Kenyan and Ugandan music are somewhat vague in my head because they come from childhood memories. I remember being in the car with my mom, listening to her favourite CDs, and enjoying the rhythms, grooves, and melodies of those songs. Even though I was very young and can’t recall the specifics, those experiences left a lasting impression on me.
What kind of artists influenced you growing up, and how did they impact your decision to become an artist?
I was obsessed with Usher when I was very young. I thought he was the coolest person in the world. I was also into a lot of 2000s R&B artists like Ne-Yo and Mario. As I grew older, I got into the pop world, especially Ed Sheeran. I was completely fascinated by the way he wrote songs from when I was about 13 or 14. His songwriting style significantly influenced the way I write lyrics. I’m also a huge hip-hop fan, with artists like J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar shaping how I listen to music and perceive rhythms.
On a vocal level, I was always drawn to great solo singers like Donny Hathaway, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, and Whitney Houston. These artists have greatly influenced the way I perform and handle my vocals.
Your lyrics are very raw and intimate, often exploring emotional and personal experiences. What’s the message you want to convey to the world through your music?
Honesty is the most important thing for me. I believe we all go through similar struggles, whether in relationships, family, or friendships. These experiences might seem different on the surface, but they often intersect. For example, I wrote a song called «Popcorn and a Smoothie» about my relationship with my dad, who is not really in my life, and my brother. People have connected with that song in various ways, like relating it to not seeing a friend or a family member for a long time. My goal is to speak about these kinds of life stories and sometimes the bitter truths because we are such complicated beings as humans. Through my stories and honesty, I hope people can find comfort, relate to them, and have a positive impact on their lives.
Your previous EPs, «I Was» and «I Felt», and «Comfortable» reflect different stages of your musical journey. How has your musical direction evolved from last year to now?
It’s been interesting because, you know, when I started to go viral on social media, that really made everything kind of make sense. I was writing these songs on the guitar, and, like I said, influenced heavily by Ed Sheeran. I was very much in a singer-songwriter space before I started posting those videos. But since then, I’ve been growing more into my soul roots, hip-hop influence, and R&B influence. So that’s what «Comfortable» reflects, in a lot of ways. But I felt that it was very important for me to really give the world my roots and start with the story where it started. So «Hollow» was my first song, and it’s one of the first songs that I loved that I just wrote on the guitar. And a lot of my first two EPs, I just wrote by myself in my room. «Comfortable» is kind of one of the first ones where I was in a little bit of a bigger studio with a few more people, and we’re collaborating in a different way. All of this just shows my evolution as an artist in a very natural way, I think.
In what ways do you feel busking has contributed to your growth as an artist, considering it’s a challenging experience that builds resilience?
In so many ways, busking has shaped me as an artist. It’s funny because everything can go wrong when you’re out there—rain, technical issues—but you still have to
push through to make ends meet. Dealing with all sorts of people, from the weird to the rude, taught me resilience. It made me comfortable with things going awry, which now translates into my live performances. When something goes wrong on stage, like a mic malfunction, I stay composed. Busking also helped me vocally. Singing freely on the street, where nobody really cares unless you’re hitting terrible notes, was a learning curve. It trained my voice as well. Now, I understand where my voice can go and how to navigate it confidently. Busking has been a funny journey, but incredibly beneficial for my growth as an artist.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever witnessed while busking?
You know, when I first started busking, maybe about a week or two into it, I was singing and playing guitar when suddenly this guy walked by, eyeing my case (laughs).
He seemed to be contemplating something as he listened. Then, in a split second, he lunged forward, grabbed a handful of everything in my case, and sprinted away at full speed. I was left standing there with just my guitar, watching him disappear with all the money I had earned in two hours.
That experience undoubtedly tests one’s resilience. While performing you’ve also shared the stage with Teddy Swims and Tom Walker. Who would be your dream collaboration, whether on stage or in the studio?
You know, I typically don’t do features, but if I could sing with Adele I think I could retire afterwards (laughs). Or collaborating with someone like Kendrick Lamar or J. Cole would be incredible. It would feel like a dream come true. I also enjoy writing for other artists, so working with any hip-hop or R&B artist in that capacity would be a dream collaboration for me.
Considering your transition from busking to selling out European tours, how do you perceive the reception from a European audience compared to a predominantly British one? Do you notice any differences? And which country left you feeling particularly amazed?
Yes, I definitely notice a difference. It’s surreal to visit places I’ve never been and receive such incredible love. One standout was Cologne in Germany. I’m not entirely sure why, but perhaps it’s a hub where people from nearby cities easily gather.
They embraced the music, singing along to every word—
it was a highlight. Germany, in general, has been incredibly warm. Each country has its unique vibe; London is warm and welcoming but in a more reserved way, whereas places like France and Germany cheer enthusiastically throughout, which is really cool.
As a young artist, what advice would you offer to aspiring singer-songwriters looking to build a career like yours?
Honestly, I’d say consistency is key, especially in today’s social media-driven landscape. You have to be willing to put in the work yourself—write a lot of songs, create content, and stay dedicated. Make a long-term plan for yourself, not just short-term goals. Remember, you’re the one who cares the most about your project at every stage. Others may come and go, but you’re the captain of the ship. So stay consistent and have a solid plan. That’s my best advice.
What are your upcoming plans in your career?
I have just released my third EP titled «I Tried». Next year I hope to release my debut studio album. Alongside all of this, I plan to perform more shows and possibly embark on another tour.
We can’t wait to catch you on stage. Thank you very much for your time, Victor.
Thank you.
– Interview by Dylan Lodise; Main Photo by UMG
