EP Review: Victor AD Sounds Refreshed on Nothing to Prove
EP Review: Victor AD Sounds Refreshed on Nothing to Prove
On his sophomore EP, the singer goes in search of the flame that first announced him to the world.
Victor AD had a great 2018. He featured on fellow Delta State indigene Erigga’s hit single “Motivation.” Later, he signed to Etins Record and released “Wetin We Gain.” The song became a hit. It earned Victor AD three nominations at the 2019 Headies: Best Pop Single, Next Rated and Song of the Year. The endearing quality of Victor AD’s music is his ability to compress the everyday struggles and aspirations of the average Nigerian into melodies.
In 2019, Victor AD released his debut EP Red Eye under the support of a new label - SJW Entertainment. Red Eye didn’t make the desired impact; it failed to reach the consciousness of most music lovers. Undiscouraged, Victor AD released a string of singles—one of which was a return-to-form “Prayer Request,” which featured Patoranking—and appeared on DJ Neptune’s “Tomorrow.”
Nothing to Prove, Victor AD’s sophomore EP, is a career relaunch. Released under his imprint Red Eye, the six-track project situates the singer in a new place: inspired and assertive. On the amapiano-influenced “Olofofo,” Victor AD declares, “Nothing dey shack me again/Nothing fit hold me again/I done dey give them since ’90s and I go give them again.”
On “Black,” a revenge-tinged tune featuring Mr Eazi, Victor AD makes a report: “I been de calm when them bite me o/I been de sleep when them wake me o/Them been no know say I take note o.” When he, presumably, retaliates against his detractors, Victor AD employs a clever turn of phrase. “They said I’m not fair because I’m fucking black,” he sings.
Braggadocio isn’t all that is obtainable on Nothing to Prove; Victor AD makes room for vulnerability. He laments about an unfaithful and scheming partner on “Anymore,” which features Phyno. “Your love is bogus/Something I can never practice/Baby girl you too get tactics,” he sings. Phyno’s smooth Igbo raps complement this sad-boy song.
“One Kiss” presents a love-charmed Victor AD. He sings about how a girl’s kiss has him feeling like “mumu,” and how her “magical touch” has him “feeling like voodoo.” He enlists Tanzanian singer Lava Lava on “Joanna.” Together, over percussion and electric guitar strings, they serenade the aforementioned woman with sweet words. “Who would have thought that I would find a girl like you?/Wey no go give me stress/You understand the things I do/My own prayer tonight is just for you to say I do,” Victor AD sings.
“Bless Boys,” an afro-pop number, finds Victor AD in his “Wetin We Gain” zone. He highlights the importance of generosity and admonishes those who have wealth to share it with those who do not have. He tells tightfisted people to remember that they will not always have what they have and that what goes around comes around. “As God done bless you you suppose to bless boys/We call your phone now we no dey hear voice eh,” he sings.
The title of Victor AD’s project is at odds with his intention. This is because on the record he sounds like a man who knows he has everything to prove. He has to prove that he is no fluke and he can hold his own in the ever-burgeoning Nigerian music scene. That is what he accomplishes on this record.
Go HERE to stream Nothing to Prove.