NBA Star Victor Oladipo Talks New Album ‘Tunde,’ Musical Roots and The Importance of Afrobeats

On Friday (February 17), two-time NBA All-Star Victor Oladipo released his latest album, a seven-track record called Tunde. The Afrobeat-centric release comes on the heels of several single releases, “Symphony” and “Exercise,” for the All-NBA guard in the past few months.

Oladipo, who has released two previous albums, Songs for You in 2017 and V.O. in 2018, also appeared on The Masked Singer in 2019. For the athlete-musician, making music and celebrating the culture is not some fly-by-night hobby. It’s a passion, through and through. As much so as basketball for him—perhaps even more.

The artist, who grew up singing in church and in school choirs in the Washington, D.C.-area, used to use his prowess to flirt with girls as a student. On his bucket list, he says, is singing the National Anthem. He even once sang a bit before an NBA Slam Dunk Contest he participated in. Indeed, singing is in his blood.

Below, American Songwriter caught up with Oladipo to talk about his musical roots, the genesis of his albums, his love for Afrobeats (a genre featured heavily last week at the NBA All-Star game), and what he loves most about being a singer.