Vector (musician)

Vector
Birth name	Olanrewaju Ogunmefun
Also known as	V.E.C
Born	Ogun, Nigeria
Genres	Hip hop, Naija
Occupation(s)	Singer-Songwriter, rapper
Years active	2008–present
Labels	n/a
Associated acts	2 Face Idibia, Sauce Kid, Mavado, 9ice, Timaya, DJ Jimmy Jatt, Ice Prince, Iyanya, Wizkid, DJ Xclusive, Terry G, SeyiShay, Faze, Shank, Sexy Steel, Sledge, Ade Piper, Oritse Femi, DJ Mewsic, Shaydee, Hakym The Dream, Wizboy, Don Tom, Tillaman, Morell, Godwon

Olanrewaju Ogunmefun, better known by his stage name Vector tha Viper, is a Nigerian Hip hop artist. Vector has released two studio albums, his debut album "State of Surprise (SOS)" and a follow-up. He is the voice behind the Sprite commercial that has aired on most radio stations across Nigeria since 2009.^[1] In anticipation of his second studio album, he released a mix tape titled "Bar Racks".^[2] He released his second studio album titled "The Second Coming" on 12 December 2012.^[3]

Early life

Lanre was born in Ogun State, the fourth of five children. He schooled in Nigeria attending Command children school, Ijebu-ode grammar school, Government college Victoria Island & Saint Gregory’s college. He started his journey into hip hop way back to junior high in the year 1994. In St. Gregorys College, he was involved in various social activities in which he was made to perform from the stage. In the year 1999, he formed a duo called "Badder Boiz", and they started writing their own songs and in the same year went on to start performing at showcases as a trio. And with a joined effort they aimed at selling the underground music to the surface.^[4]

They recorded their first demo series in 1999, and kept on going by attending talent showcases. Vector was going towards the direction of an emcee as his ability to freestyle was made known to the other members of the group. As a group of three, consisting of Vector, Krystal & Blaze, they were together until 2004 when Krystal left the group due to irreconcilable differences.^[5] He then attended the University of Lagos, graduating in 2008 with a Bachelors degree in Philosophy.^[6]

Career

Vector released his first official single "Kilode" featuring Emmsong for the album "State of surprise" in February 2010.^[7] He later released the video for this single in June 2010.^[8] His second official single was "Mary Jane" which was released in April of the same year.^[9] The album was released on 29 October 2010 & Executive Produced by Eloka "Culture" Oligbo. It includes 15 songs, Intro & 2 skits. His album featured the likes of 2 Face Idibia, General Pype,^[10] Chuddy K, Ade Piper, Emmsong, Sista Soul and with productions from H-Code, Sam Klef,^[11] Da Piano, J-Smith, Xela Xelz and Vibez Production just to name a few.

He also released a video for the song "Get Down" featuring 2 Face in June 2011.^[12] At the "Nigerian Music Video Awards 2011", he was then nominated for "Best Mainstream Hip Hop Video".^[13] He was also nominated at the "Nigerian Entertainment Awards 2010" for "Best Collaboration With Vocals" with the track "Champion" in which he was featured in by General Pype.^[14]

He has after then done other songs and has been featured in various songs by notable artistes. His 2 singles "Angeli" ft. 9ice and "Mr. Vector" featuring Jazzy, both produced by Sagzy were released^[15] on 19 May 2011 and were on heavy rotation on radio stations around the country. The video for "Angeli" which features 9ice was released in October, 2011.^[16]

Vector released the track "Born Leader" featuring Jamaican international Mavado who is under DJ Khaled's We the Best Music Group.^[17] Born Leader is Vector’s 3rd single off his second album titled The 2nd Coming. He also shot the video in Miami Florida at the exclusive G-Five and it was directed by Antwan Smith.^[18]

Awards

Won

Nigerian Music Video Awards (NMVA) 2012 – Best Afro Hip-Hop Video ^[19]
The Headies 2012 – Lyricist On The Roll ^[20]
The Headies 2012 – Best Rap Single ^[21]
Nigeria Entertainment Awards (NEA) 2012 – Best Rap Act ^[22]
DYNAMIX Youth Awards 2012 - Recognition Award ^[23]
Nigerian Music Video Awards (NMVA) 2011- Best Mainstream Hip-Hop Video ^[24]

Nominated

Nigerian Entertainment Awards (NEA) 2011- Most Promising Act To Watch ^[25]
The Headies 2011 - Lyricist On The Roll ^[26]
DYNAMIX Youth Awards 2011 – Best New Act ^[27]

Rapping technique

Vector’s style of rap runs through the fast and equally slow tempo. His style of rap has been compared to that of rapper Jay-Z.^[28]

Nigerian music industry

Controversy

There were sparks thrown into the air when Nigerian Artiste Reminisce recorded a diss track^[29] "ATA (Street Kitchen Reply)" with the line, "V-E what shit ki lo’n je be. Shebi iwo lo rap ju shit o ma pe’n nbe" in reply to Vector's verse on Sauce Kid's "Kitchen Street" in which Vector said "For all those boys wey dey show. Ti e ba fe ma form pe eyin lata ani tomato to ma to".^[30]

After this incidence Vector has replied with the track "Distractions (Reminisce Diss)", which he featured on with renowned lyricist A-Q. Vector hit him with the lines, "Cos you bleach your skin doesn't mean you are enlightened, Pig. I'm the base and my crew be strong, you cannot be the best cause you had one stupid song" and "And I'm made oh, and it's so public. But you, your life is like your videos, low budget."^[31]