Nigerian singer Victony has released his 15-track sophomore album *Starlife*, out 21 August, which grew organically from an initially planned four-song EP after the song "FRE$H" sparked a broader creative surge. Speaking to Billboard UK from London, where he is hosting a listening party following one in Lagos, Victony described the record as a more personal and revealing follow-up to his 2024 debut *Stubborn*, which had focused on proving his musical credentials.

The Lagos-born artist, whose sound blends afropop, R&B and soul, credited his 2022 breakout track "Soweto" with encouraging him to keep experimenting. The original version with Tempoe reached No. 5 on the UK's Official Afrobeats Chart, a 2023 remix with Rema hit No. 1, and an expanded version featuring Don Toliver and Tempoe crossed onto the main UK Official Singles Chart, peaking at No. 65 and spending nine weeks in the top 100.