Soweto

Album: Outlaw (2022)
Charted: 65
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Anthony Ebuka Victor, known professionally as Victony, is a Nigerian singer, rapper and songwriter from the Orsu local government area of Imo State. Victony grew up vibing to heavy hitters like Davido, Wizkid, Mi, and Falz, and they influenced his sound as he crafted his own style.

    He made his debut with a mixtape on SoundCloud titled The Outlaw King. The mixtape was a success - it helped him gain a following, and the nickname "The Outlaw King."

    Things really took off for Victony in October 2021 when he teamed up with Mayorkun on the track "Holy Father." The joint hit the top spot on Apple Music Nigeria.

    Victony recorded "Soweto" with Nigerian producer Tempoe for his fourth EP, Outlaw.
  • "Soweto" is a freestyle that Victony laid down at Tempo's house. The pair had just finished making "Rosemary" when Tempo played him the "Soweto" beat. Victony felt it, so he told Tempo to keep it rolling.

    The two chilled and watched Netflix while the beat bumped in the background. Victony's eyes were glued to the screen, but every now and then, he'd step up to the mic and drop some lines. Tempo knew they had something special and saved the idea.

    As time went on, Victony started seeing "Soweto" in a whole new light. The idea that was casually tossed out during Netflix sessions became something with real potential to make waves.
  • Singing in pidgin Nigerian, Victony talks about a fine woman with a seductive vibe. He compares her allure to a thick, flavorful soup. Victony makes a deal with her: If she plays her cards right, he'll shower her with cash and high-end designer swag.

    "It's pretty much about this girl you have in mind, and you are really professing your love to her, you're trying to woo her - but in a very calm way," explained Victony to Apple Music. "I'm speaking to her, but I still want her to just be herself and express in full bloom. She doesn't have to really be connected to me or be attracted to me as well—I'm just letting her know she's very beautiful and I'm in love with her."
  • Soweto is the name of a township in South Africa. A possible interpretation here is its a euphemism for a woman's butt.

    Girl if I lap your Soweto, na Maphorisa
    Girlie your back e be tornado


    The lyric references the South African producer and DJ, Maphorisa. The line is a double entendre; on one level, it is a statement about the woman's "Soweto." On another level, the line is a reference to Maphorisa's signature sound, which is characterized by its heavy use of bass and electronic beats.
  • At first, "Soweto" got the fewest streams of all the Outlaw tracks across the platforms, but after a while, it started picking up organically before going viral. Because of its success, Victony released the sped-up version of "Soweto" for the TikTokers.
  • The song got the remix treatment with verses by Don Toliver and Rema. Victony dropped the new version on March 22, 2023.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

John Parr

John ParrSongwriter Interviews

John tells the "St. Elmo's Fire (Man In Motion)" story and explains why he disappeared for so long.

Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull

Ian Anderson of Jethro TullSongwriter Interviews

The flautist frontman talks about touring with Led Zeppelin, his contribution to "Hotel California", and how he may have done the first MTV Unplugged.

Gavin Rossdale On Lyric Inspirations and Bush's Album The Kingdom

Gavin Rossdale On Lyric Inspirations and Bush's Album The KingdomSongwriter Interviews

The Bush frontman on where he finds inspiration for lyrics, if his "machine head" is a guitar tuner, and the stories behind songs from the album The Kingdom.

Charlotte Caffey of The Go-Go's

Charlotte Caffey of The Go-Go'sSongwriter Interviews

Charlotte was established in the LA punk scene when a freaky girl named Belinda approached her wearing a garbage bag.

Bill Withers

Bill WithersSongwriter Interviews

Soul music legend Bill Withers on how life experience and the company you keep leads to classic songs like "Lean On Me."

Kristian Bush of Sugarland

Kristian Bush of SugarlandSongwriter Interviews

Kristian talks songwriting technique, like how the chorus should redefine the story, and how to write a song backwards.