Vector (rapper)

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 The Second Coming. 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 bachelor's degree in Philosophy.^[6]

Career

Vector released his first official single "Kilode" 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, 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 2Face Idibia in June 2011.^[11] At the Nigerian Music Video Awards 2011, he was nominated for "Best Mainstream Hip Hop Video".^[12] He was also nominated at the 2010 Nigeria Entertainment Awards for "Best Collaboration With Vocals" with the track "Champion" in which he was featured in by General Pype.^[13]

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^[14] on 19 May 2011 and were on heavy rotation on radio stations around the country. The video for "Angeli" was released in October, 2011.^[15]

Vector released the track "Born Leader"^[16] 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 Second Coming. He also shot the video in Miami, Florida at the exclusive G-Five and it was directed by Antwan Smith.^[18] In August 2013 he was featured by Pheelz a producer on a song titled "Popular" which gained major airplay in radio stations across Nigeria.

In January 2015 vector released a highly critically acclaimed rap single titled "King Kong" and the video was released on the same month. Due to the high success of the single vector released two remixes with the first one featuring Phyno, Reminisce, Classiq and Uzi, and the second remix featuring Ghanaian rapper Sarkodie which was released in May and June 2015 respectively. The video for the first remix was released in July 2015. In July 15 he released a fresh single titled "Kanawan Dabo" and in July 24 he released a freestyle titled "8".

Awards

Won

• The Headies 2015 ^[19] - Best Rap Single
• The Headies 2015 ^[19] - Lyricist On The Roll
• Nigerian Music Video Awards (NMVA) 2012 – Best Afro Hip-Hop Video ^[20]
• The Headies 2012 – Lyricist On The Roll ^[21]
• 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]

Controversy

There were sparks thrown into the air when Nigerian artiste Reminisce recorded a diss track^[28] "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".^[29]

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."^[30]

Discography

See also

• List of Nigerian rappers

References

External links

• Vector on Twitter