Nigeria: Victony Collaborates with Terry G on new track Tanko

The title, ‘Tanko’, is derived from Nigerian street football slang. Victony uses it as a metaphor to explore themes of duality — balancing ambition and discipline, indulgence and persistence, struggle and success.

In the opening verse, Victony raps: “Too many nights I’m hustling, too many girls I am shuffling” — a hook that juxtaposes ambition with distraction, before handing over to Terry G, who brings his trademark unpredictability to the track.

Terry G, often referred to as the “Akpako Master” and “Ginjah Master,” rose to prominence in the late 2000s with songs like ‘Free Madness’, ‘Testing Microphone’ and ‘Run Mad’. His 2013 album Book of Ginjah marked a peak in his career, securing his place as one of Nigeria’s influential street music figures. He has also worked with well-known artists including Wizkid, Phyno, 9ice and Timaya, and won the Headies Award for Best Street Hop Artiste for Free Madness Pt.2.

Tanko follows the one-year anniversary of Victony’s debut album Stubborn, released on 21 June 2024. The album was widely praised for its experimental sound and featured collaborations with Teezo Touchdown, Asake, Saint Jhn, Shallipoppi, and others. Its lead single, also titled ‘Stubborn’ and featuring Asake, was seen as a statement of resilience and artistic ambition. The project built on the success of Victony’s global hit Soweto, featuring Don Toliver and Rema, which gained him international attention.

Victony is currently touring with Davido on the 5ive Tour, with performances in cities including Toronto, Quebec, Brooklyn, Boston, Philadelphia and Maryland.

Starting out as a rapper in 2017 with his mixtape The Outlaw King, Victony has gradually shifted towards a hybrid sound, blending R&B, Afropop and trap — a style that has earned him a growing fan base and critical recognition.