Vector (rapper)
{{Short description|Nigerian rapper (born 1984)}}
{{Use Nigerian English|date=June 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Olanrewaju
| image = Vector at No Peace Video Shoot 2020.jpg
| caption = Vector at No Peace Video Shoot 2020
| birth_name = Olanrewaju Ogunmefun David
| alias = V.E.C, Vector Tha Viper
| birth_place = Lagos, Nigeria
| genre = {{hlist|Hip Hop|Rap}} [https://www.bellanaija.com/2020/05/vector-masterkraft-crossroads/ Rapfrobeat]
| occupation = {{hlist|Rapper|singer|record producer|songwriter|actor}}
| years_active = 2008–present
| label = {{flatlist|
- GRAP Entertainment {{small|(current)}}
- Def Jam Africa {{small|(former)}}
- YSG Entertainment {{small|(former)}}
}}
| associated_acts = {{hlist|Mavado|9ice|CDQ|Timaya|Ice Prince| Iyanya| D'banj|Davido|2Baba|Reminisce|Mayorkun|Nasty C|Masterkraft|Patoranking|Banky W|Etcetera Ejikeme|Phyno}}
| birth_date = {{birth-date and age|7 August 1984}}
| origin = Ogun, Nigeria
| image_size =
| honorific_prefix =
| website = {{url|vectorthaviper.me}}
| instrument = Vocals {{!}} guitar
}}
Olanrewaju Ogunmefun, better known by his stage name Vector, is a Nigerian rapper, singer and songwriter. He has released three studio albums, including State of Surprise and The Second Coming (2012).{{cite web|url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2012/12/bn-bytes-the-second-coming-of-vector-view-the-ace-lyricists-sophomore-album-art-tracklist/|title=BN Bytes: The "Second Coming" of Vector! View the Ace Lyricist's Sophomore Album Art & Tracklist|author=Onos|work=BellaNaija|access-date=3 February 2016}} In anticipation of his second studio album, he released a mixtape titled Bar Racks.{{cite web|url=http://www.notjustok.com/2012/08/06/download-vectors-bar-racks-mixtape/|title=DOWNLOAD:DOWNLOAD Vector's Bar-Racks (MixTape) –notjustOk|work=notjustOk|access-date=3 February 2016}} Lafíaji, his third studio album was released in December 2016. He also released a mixtape in October 2018, The Rap Dialogue, in an effort to keep the spirit of Nigerian hip-hop alive. In November 2019, his fourth studio album, Vibes Before Teslim: A Journey to Self-Discovery, was released.
He is the voice behind a Sprite commercial that aired on radio stations across Nigeria since 2009.{{cite web|url=http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/09/vector-debuts/|title=Vector debuts|date=3 February 2016|work=Vanguard News|access-date=3 February 2016}} He also had "the longest freestyle rap in Nigeria".{{Cite web|last=Haliwud|date=22 August 2015|title=Vector Sets New Record For Longest Freestyle by an African Rapper|url=https://www.informationng.com/2015/08/vector-sets-new-record-for-longest-freestyle-by-an-african-rapper.html|access-date=15 June 2020|website=Information Nigeria|language=en-US}}
In November 2019, he signed a joint venture with Starstruck Management Inc and Create Music Group to release his 4th studio project Extended play titled "Vibes Before Teslim: A Journey To Self-Discovery".{{Cite web|title=VIBES BEFORE TESLIM: A Journey To Self Discovery by Vector|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/vibes-before-teslim-the-journey-to-self-discovery/1488178899|access-date=15 June 2020|website=Apple Music|date=26 November 2019|language=en-gb}}
Early life
Lanre was born in Lagos State, hails from 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 Ikoyi Lagos. He started his journey into hip-hop in junior high in 1994. In St. Gregory's College, he was involved in various social activities in which he was made to perform on stage. In 1999, he formed a duo called Badder Boiz, who wrote their own songs and in the same year went on to start performing at showcases as a trio.{{cite web|url=http://www.museumstuff.com/learn/topics/Olanrewaju_Ogunmefun|title=Olanrewaju Ogunmefun|work=museumstuff.com|access-date=3 February 2016}}
They recorded their first demo in 1999 and attended talent showcases. Vector was going in the direction of an emcee. As a group of three, consisting of Vector, Krystal & Blaze, they were together until 2004 when Krystal left due to irreconcilable differences.http://www.ysgent.com/?q=node/7 Vector's profile He then attended the University of Lagos, graduating in 2008 with a bachelor's degree in philosophy.{{cite web|url=http://www.notjustok.com/2009/06/26/vector-notjustok-hype/|title=DOWNLOAD:Vector (notjustOk Hype) –notjustOk|work=notjustOk|access-date=3 February 2016}}
Career
Vector released his first official single "Kilode" for the album State of Surprise in February 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.notjustok.com/2010/01/04/premiere-vector-kilode-ft-emmsong/|title=DOWNLOAD:Premiere: Vector – Kilode ft Emmsong –notjustOk|work=notjustOk|access-date=3 February 2016}} He later released the video for this single in June 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.notjustok.com/2010/06/09/video-vector-kilode-ft-emmsong/|title=DOWNLOAD:VIDEO: Vector – Kilode ft Emmsong –notjustOk|work=notjustOk|access-date=3 February 2016}} His second official single was "Mary Jane" which was released in April of the same year.{{cite web|url=http://www.notjustok.com/2010/03/12/premiere-vector-mary-jane/|title=DOWNLOAD:Premiere: Vector – Mary Jane –notjustOk|work=notjustOk|access-date=3 February 2016}} The album was released on 29 October 2010, executive produced by Eloka "Culture" Oligbo. It featured 2 Face Idibia, General Pype,{{Cite web|url=http://www.olamildentertainment.com/2009/11/general-pype-bio.html|title = 神州斗地主-官网首页}} Chuddy K, Ade Piper, Emmsong, Sista Soul and with productions from H-Code, Sam Klef, Da Piano, J-Smith, Xela Xelz and Vibez Production.
He released a video for the song "Get Down" featuring 2Face Idibia in June 2011.{{cite web |url=http://www.soundcity.tv/stories/221/New-Video-Vector-Get-Down-ft-2face |title=New Video: Vector – 'Get Down' ft 2face · Soundcity |website=soundcity.tv |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614234251/http://www.soundcity.tv/stories/221/New-Video-Vector-Get-Down-ft-2face |archive-date=2011-06-14}} At the Nigerian Music Video Awards 2011, he was nominated for "Best Mainstream Hip Hop Video".{{cite web|url=http://www.ladybrillenigeria.com/2011/10/nigerian-music-video-awards-releases-2011-nominees-list.html|title=Nigerian Music Video Awards Releases 2011 Nominees list|work=LadybrilleNigeria|date=31 October 2011|access-date=3 February 2016}} He was 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.ladybrillenigeria.com/2010/07/nigeria-entertainment-awards-nominees-da-grin-genevieve-nnaji-obi-asika-stephanie-okereke-deola-sagoe-mi-omawumi.html|title=Nigeria Entertainment Awards Nominees: DA GRIN, Genevieve Nnaji, Obi Asika, Stephanie Okereke, Deola Sagoe, MI, Omawumi|work=LadybrilleNigeria|date=8 July 2010|access-date=3 February 2016}}
His singles "Angeli" ft. 9ice and "Mr. Vector" featuring Jazzy, both produced by Sagzy were released{{cite web|url=http://www.notjustok.com/2011/05/18/vector-angeli-ft-9ice-mr-vector-ft-jazzy/|title=DOWNLOAD:Vector – Angeli Ft 9ice + Mr Vector Ft Jazzy –notjustOk|work=notjustOk|access-date=3 February 2016}} on 19 May 2011 and were on heavy rotation on radio stations around the country. The video for "Angeli" was released in October 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.notjustok.com/2011/10/25/video-vector-ft-9ice-angeli/|title=DOWNLOAD:VIDEO: Vector ft. 9ice – Angeli –notjustOk|work=notjustOk|date=25 October 2011|access-date=3 February 2016}} In 2020, himself and Bigtril, released a song called "OG" that featured Raezy and Larry Gaaga. He has another collaboration with pallaso, called bubble remix.
Vector released the track "Born Leader"{{cite web|title=Get Familiar: Vector – Born Leader Ft Mavado|url=http://www.360nobs.com/2012/10/get-familiar-vector-born-leader-ft-movado/|website=360nobs.com|publisher=360NoBS|access-date=22 June 2015}} featuring Mavado of DJ Khaled's We the Best Music Group.{{cite web|url=http://www.notjustok.com/2012/10/11/vector-ft-mavado-born-leader/|title=DOWNLOAD:Vector ft. Mavado – Born Leader –notjustOk|work=notjustOk|access-date=3 February 2016}} "Born Leader" was Vector's third single off his second album titled The Second Coming. He shot the video in Miami, Florida and it was directed by Antwan Smith.{{cite web|url=http://www.notjustok.com/2012/11/07/video-vector-ft-mavado-born-leader/|title=DOWNLOAD:VIDEO: Vector ft Mavado – Born Leader –notjustOk|work=notjustOk|access-date=3 February 2016}} In August 2013 he was featured by Pheelz a producer on a song titled "Popular" which gained airplay in radio stations across Nigeria.
In January 2015 Vector released a rap single titled "King Kong" and the video was released the same month. 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. On 15 July he released a fresh single titled "Kanawan Dabo" and on 24 July he released a freestyle titled "8". In May 2020, he signed a record deal with Def Jam Africa, a flagship of Def Jam Recordings in Nigeria.{{cite web |last1=Alake |first1=Motolani |title=Vector, Larry Gaaga join Def Jam Africa |url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/universal-music-group-announces-the-launch-of-def-jam-africa/433x667 |website=Pulse Nigeria |access-date=10 May 2022 |language=en |date=26 May 2020}} In December 2022 Vector was featured in Africa Cypher (Hennessy Cypher) that happened in Nigeria, the Cypher also featured artists such as A-Reece, M.I Abaga, M.anifest and Octopizzo.
Controversy
Nigerian artiste Reminisce recorded a diss track{{cite web |url=http://thenetng.com/2012/03/16/hip-hop-feud-reminisce-battles-vector/ |title=Hip-Hop Feud: Reminisce Battles Vector {{!}} Nigerian Entertainment Today |website=thenetng.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319011037/http://www.thenetng.com/2012/03/16/hip-hop-feud-reminisce-battles-vector |archive-date=2012-03-19}} "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 "KitcheStreet" 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".{{cite web|url=http://popoffcentral.blogspot.com/2012/03/new-music-ata-vector-diss-reminisce.html|title=Redirecting|work=popoffcentral.blogspot.com|access-date=3 February 2016}}
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."{{Cite web|url=http://www.naijawhistle.com/2012/06/vector-disses-reminisce.html|title = 凯时国际欧洲杯,凯时共赢共欢,凯时娱人生就是博,凯时kb88可来就送38}} He was also in a rap supremacy battle with Jude "M.I" Abaga, and released diss tracks such as "The Purge" (featuring Vader and Payper) and also #JudasTheRat which was a response to M.I's #ThaViper.
In 2020, Vector and Jude "M.I" Abaga seem to have squashed their battle when they both met in the third and final part of "The Conversation", a Hennessy Nigeria documentary series based on the rivalry between M.I and Vector, the duo met face-to-face and discussed what transpired between them. Both rappers addressed what caused the beef and their thoughts on each other. M.I said he had the impression that Vector just didn't like him, while Vector said he believed M.I was cunning and deceptive.
When asked by the interviewer if there was a possibility of a collaboration, Vector replied: "If this energy is pure, then there is no way I don't see a collaboration happening".{{Cite web|date=2020-10-06|title=M.I And Vector Ends Beef, Possible Collaboration Underway|url=https://editor.guardian.ng/life/m-i-and-vector-ends-beef-possible-collaboration-underway/|access-date=2020-10-13|website=The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|title="The Conversation" Hennessy Nigeria, Youtube|via = YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vp36eGk3QOU}}
He however said in February 2021 that his beef with M.I sold them records. He said "Did we make money with the beef tracks? Yes, the records sold. Yes, there comes a special demand for beef tracks by the fans. Our songs were streamed a lot; I mean, we trended at number one in the Genius.com, a lyrics website, which means Nigerians can go on and write something for the world to read and enjoy".{{Cite web|date=2021-02-14|title=My beef with MI sold us records – Vector confesses|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/02/my-beef-with-mi-sold-us-records-vector-confesses/|access-date=2021-02-27|website=Vanguard News|language=en-US}}
Himself and M.I Abaga eventually ended their contention in 2021, and eventually collaborated on a rap track titled "Crown of Clay". The track also featured Nigerian producer, Pheelz,{{Cite web |date=2021-05-02 |title=The African Spirit Pulsates: 'Crown of Clay' {{!}} #Music #HipHop, Saving Mungo Park #Nigeria |url=https://www.ubuntufmafrica.com/article/66/reviews/african-spirit-pulsates-crown-clay |access-date=2024-09-24 |website=www.ubuntufmafrica.com |language=en}} after which himself and M.I proceeded to take part in two editions of the Hennessy Cypher in 2021, and 2023.
Discography
=Studio albums=
- State of Surprise (2010)
- The Second Coming (2012)
- Lafíaji (2016)
- Vibes Before Teslim: A Journey To Self-Discovery (2019)
- Teslìm: The Energy Still Lives in Me (2022)
=Mixtapes=
- Bar-Racks The Mixtape (2012)
- A7 (2014)
== Extended plays ==
- The Rap Dialogue (2018)
- The African Mind (2020)
== Collaborative albums ==
- Crossroads EP ( With Masterkraft ) (2020)
Filmography
= Film =
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Year !Title !Role !Note !Ref. |
| 2018
|June |Adewale | |
| 2018
|Sally.aka. Mr. Beats | |
TV and series
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Year !Title !Role !Note !Ref |
| 2019
|Himself | | |
| 2020
|Shuga Naija: Alone Together Web Series |Himself | |
Singles
Albums and EPs
Awards and nominations
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Twitter|VectorThaViper}}
- {{Instagram|vectorthaviper}}
- [https://www.vectorthaviperlive.com Official Website]
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vector}}
Category:Nigerian hip-hop singers
Category:Nigerian male rappers
Category:21st-century male rappers
Category:Musicians from Ogun State
Category:21st-century Nigerian rappers
Category:University of Lagos alumni