Mightyyout: “I’m Spreading Hope With My Music” – DMW Latest Act Mightyyout

By Emmanuel Daraloye

Mightyyout, born Neele Lete Victor, is among the latest class of Nigerian superstars rising to the spotlight with his unique Afro-fusion pop.
The singer, who was recently signed to Davido Music Worldwide, also appeared on the Music Business Academy (MBA) For Africa’s Fuel & Flames (2022), as well as the Pepple Street compilation record, last year, marking his rise as a singer to watch.

Catching up with our correspondent, he shares his come-up journey; his unique artistry; his love for football; as well as his vision to keep sharing happiness with his music.

How does it feel for you getting signed to DMW Records?

I feel really good. I feel honored too, because it could have been anybody else, but it’s me. So it’s destiny.

How did the record deal come about?

Sometime, last year, they were celebrating Chioma Adeleke’s birthday in Jamaica. My manager and I had sent my songs to a senior brother and friend of mine who was with them in Jamaica. He was listening to the song around Davido and Davido was trying to Shazam the song thinking it was a Jamaican artiste he did not know about. When he couldn’t find it, he asked about the singer and he was surprised that it was a Nigerian that was singing. He became interested in mu sound and then calls started coming in. And the rest is history.

What were your earliest music influences?

I never woke up one morning to think that I wanted to sound like this. You know, there was never that time. I think of it as a gift that I decided to sound like this. Growing up, I listened to the likes of Akon, Tuface Idibia, Sound Sultan, and a lot of the OGs. Till now, I like to listen to vintage music. I also listened to Sean Paul; he makes music that is personal to my heart. And it kind of shaped the way I already sound.

Tell us about your creative process.

I engineer my music, as in I can record my own music. I’ve been like that for the longest time. I remember staying in my friend’s home studio and whenever he was probably sleeping I would have the free space to record music. So, I took those little chances to learn how to record myself.
Before I can work with a producer, I prefer to build a relationship outside the music first. I build friendships. It is much easier and everything just flows easily. One other thing about me is that when I’m making music, I like the space to be dark. It is just something I enjoy.

What was your experience like creating music in recording camps like MBA’s?

MBA really played a good role in my life too. They helped me in a very good way. Before then, I was just a boy trying to survive, you know, and maneuver the industry. And I had no idea about what I was doing. I was just doing what I was doing. I was really not a student under the MBA; I was just one of the artists. However, because of the relationship I had with the other students and the officials there, I learned a lot. I met a lot of people including Godwin Tom, who helped me in understanding the music business, to an extent. I met other artists talking about music, the struggles involved, and just dissecting things as much as we could and it just helped me.

What is the inspiration behind your latest song, Paradise?

The inspiration behind Paradise is just a feeling I got from chilling with my guys in the studio. We were just talking about the summertime and how it feels — good vibes, good energies, healthy living and having fun. That’s what the song is about.

What other records are we expecting from you?

I’m very excited about my forthcoming EP, because it represents years of hard work. I really am excited about it, because I know that, with the coming of the EP, people would get to understand and view Mightyyout on a broader scale. I have some legendary collaborations on it, and it’s not just one, two for the matter.

Any particular collaborations to expect?

I have Davido on my forthcoming project. I can’t wait for that. I’m a very versatile person. I don’t like to say it; because I like people to witness it. I also want to make music with the legendary Tubaba, because that’s like one of the people that I listened to when I was coming up.

Tell us your favourite hobbies?

I play football. I spend time with my family. I am a very family-oriented person. I like to stay around my family and friends. I can do any other thing, but these are the major things I do when I’m not making music — family and football.

Finally, what is the vision for your music?

The vision for my music is that I want people to feel loved whenever they listen to my music. There is a whole lot that I hate about the way the world works now; and if I had to choose a superpower I would want to spread hope and love everywhere. I was raised in the ghetto and I know how it feels navigating it up till this point; so I want people to listen to my music and feel strength.