Victor A. Uche (D’MASTER UTCHAY) is a fast rising Nigerian producer, music director, composer, vocal arranger, multi-instrumentalist and vocal coach. He was born on the 25th of July into a loving Christain family in Lagos. He started directing and creating music arrangements by age 10 and knows how to play more than 10 music instruments. Although he acknowledges he’s influenced by gospel artists such as Kirk Franklin, Andrae Crouch, Fred Hammond, Donald Lawrence and others, growing up in the city of Lagos has exposed him to all the different sonic palettes that shape Afrobeats.
Utchay is gradually turning into a household name in the Nigerian entertainment industry with his frequent release of covers that give classic songs a new life and show off his wide range of influence. He assembles the Loud Urban Choir to channel Afrobeats songs like Ayra Starr’s “Bloody Samaritan”, Reekado Banks’ “Ozumba Mbadiwe”, Timi Dakolo’s “Great Nation”, “Odo” by Johnny Drille and more into rich urban constellation of harmonies. It’s no surprise that he’s becoming one of the most sought after music directors in Africa today.
Utchay rose to limelight after his most recent music arrangement and production which flipped Ayra Starr’s “Bloody Samaritan” into urban choral music trended on social media and in the music scene. Considering how his unique take on it’s production and arrangements took cues from choral sounds laced with unforgettable harmonies, his sound has definitely carved out a special place in every music lover’s heart and playlists!
“I was listening to Ayra Starr’s “Bloody Samaritan” the night before one of our rehearsals and I started to have ideas. I was supposed to record something else that day but listening to the song, typical me, I started to think of different ways to approach the song and when I met with the choir the next day I had created something. The vibe we needed, the harmonies. I started arranging it and we recorded. When I played back I was like ‘okay this is amazing’. It was supposed to be a one minute content on Instagram but it eventually went all over and today the group is still benefiting from that exposure and the visibility that the song brought about,” Utchay says when asked how he put together the viral cover.
As a music director, producer and vocal arranger, Utchay has worked with various brands, artists and choirs globally such as Casey J, Tiwa Savage, Mahalia, M.I, Aaron Lindsey, Kierra Sheard, Eben, Loud Urban Choir, Mavin Records, Davido, Amazon Prime, Livespot, NNPC, Tehila, TREM and more.
D’MASTER UTCHAY’s rising acclaim has been credited to his creativity, intelligence, versatility and over 15 years of consistently creating music. He is currently the music director of RCCG City Of David, Lagos and the pioneer of FamilyOne, a leading music & content creation community.