Boy V: The Afro-Fusion Voice Bridging R&B and Afrobeats

In a world where Afrobeats continues to shape global soundscapes, few new voices carry both depth and versatility like Boy V. Born Valentino Igboanugo and raised in a musically rich, faith-driven family from Imo State, Nigeria, Boy V is a rising star blending R&B’s raw soul with Afrobeats’ infectious rhythm.

For him, music is not just a career, it’s a calling. “My parents met in the choir, So it would have been a taboo if I didn’t do music.” From the living room, where he never held control of the TV remote and absorbed everyone else’s playlists, to secondary school, where his notebooks were filled with lyrics instead of drawings, Boy V’s path has always pointed toward the stage.

Drawing inspiration from multiple genres like country, hip hop, R&B, and traditional Nigerian sounds, Boy V has crafted what he proudly calls Afro-Fusion.

“It’s a fusion of R&B into Afrobeats,” he explains. “Songs like Salvia really bring out the raw R&B side of me, but blended with Afro rhythms to create something unique.”

That uniqueness showed early. At just 14, he recorded his first song in a studio filled with older musicians. “I was the youngest there, so people didn’t expect much. But when I sang, they were amazed. The reception gave me the confidence to keep going.”

Boy V’s journey so far has been marked by bold experiments and collaborations. His recent track Call on Me with violinist Isonil, known for his work on Fireboy DML’s Jealous and Scatter, was born out of band sessions and a shared desire to try something different.

Originally meant to be an instrumental, the song evolved into a blend of funk, Afro-house, and Afrobeats. “It was a big experiment,” Boy V says. “We just wanted something light, fun, and perfect for the summer. Not too heavy on lyrics, just pure vibe.”

His live music credentials further add weight to his artistry. With his group, Coloz Band, he has performed at major events such as the MTV Base VMA Nominee Party and the BBNaija 2024 Grand Finale. He’s also provided background vocals for heavyweights like Oxlade and Johnny Drille, proving his versatility both on stage and behind the scenes.

Looking ahead, Boy V teases new projects for 2025 including a song written with weddings in mind. “It’s a wedding vibe,” he says with a grin. “I won’t say too much yet, but it’s something that will definitely connect with people on special occasions.”

As an independent artist, he reveals that he remains open to signing with a record label, but only under the right conditions. “I’ve seen enough to know what a good deal looks like,” he says firmly. “I already have a structure and a blueprint. If the deal aligns, then we can make it happen.”

For anyone discovering Boy V for the first time, he recommends starting with Salvia. “That song brings out different sides of me, and it’s something a lot of people can relate to,” he says. And once you’ve heard it, chances are you’ll want to dive deeper into his catalogue.

You can stream his music on all platforms by searching Boy V, and follow across socials @dat_boy_v.