NET Exclusive: ‘Collabos on my new album will shock everyone’ – Vector

By Chrysanthus Ikeh

Olarewaju Ogunmefun, popularly known as Vector aka Vector Tha Viper, is no new face in the Nigerian music scene. Vector has released two studio albums; his debut album, State of Surprise (SOS) in 2010 had hits like ‘Kilode’, ‘Mary Jane’ and others. He is the voice behind the Sprite commercial that has aired on most radio stations across Nigeria since 2009, and his more recent hits include ‘Shiga’, ‘King Kong’, ‘Angeli’ feat 9ice, and ‘Get Down’ feat 2face Idibia.

In this interview with NET, the award-winning rapper reveals his plans to drop an album before the end of 2015, his experience after the controversy with his former record label, YSG, collaborating with Reminisce, among other things.

Despite the challenges you had in 2014, what are your plans for 2015?

Everything is new right now. There is a lot of work for me; definitely there will be an album dropping this year. That’s like the highlight of everything. I’m also working on building strong partnerships with my fans, colleagues, and companies. It’s going to be quite huge for me.

Is there any title yet for your new album?

There is no title yet. When we are ready, we will surely throw a ‘chieftaincy’ party. As of now, my fans should expect an album dropping before the end of the year.

So who are the artistes you’re working with on the album?

The whole G-RAP movement, and there will definitely be new sounds with producers, sound engineers, and artistes. There will also be some major names, unbelievable names; people the fans probably thought I will never work with in the industry, because I intend to change a lot of stuffs on the album this year.

You reportedly said you’d be releasing a killer Valentine song with 2face Idibia. Tell us about it?

(Laughs) Can’t somebody post information on Instagram without the media seeing it? Yes, I was in the studio with Bolaji Beat, who created this mad beat that got me very interested. You know, it’s been long I’ve heard Nigerian music that sounds like World music. The song is awesome; we are waiting for 2face’s verse on the track, and when it’s done, we drop it for the ladies.

When is it dropping?

The producer says it should be ready for release by February 10, 2015 unfailingly.

You attended Kefee’s memorial service. What was your relationship with her like?

I met her just once, but it felt like I’d known her for a long time. She was a friend; very easy going, very free and very real. The last time I saw her was in the studio. Some days later, she travelled out of the country, and that was how I heard she was gone. She left me with the right impressions.

Do you plan to release a video for the song in which you collaborated with her?

Shout out to Teddy, her husband; he’s been very strong, holding up the memory of his late wife. If he comes up with the idea, I will surely be very ready to support.

What has been your experience and things you’ve learnt so far from your dispute with your former label YSG?

The experience has been that: whatever setback you encounter, it’s meant to make you if it doesn’t break you. On that note if it breaks you, it means you allowed it. Things happened but everything has moved on now and we are cool.

Are you currently signed to any record label?

No, I’m with a movement called G-RAP. It’s just a new imprint that I’m with, and I like the whole arrangement because it’s more of a movement than a record label.

As a very talented rapper, what is your opinion about Reminisce’s ‘Local Rappers’?

The song ‘Local Rappers’, to be honest; I’m indifferent. A rap song is a rap song, and I shouldn’t have an opinion about the song. I’m not a judge, but I think the song is good. Reminisce is a believable rapper, Phyno goes in hard and I think Olamide goes hard as well. With all of them combined in the song, it had no other choice than to be a dope track.

Do you think the indigenous language rappers were dissing the English rappers?

I don’t know why the media calls them indigenous rappers; rappers are rappers. At the end of the day, it’s just like somebody claiming to be the best footballer in the world; he’ll have to come out to prove it on the pitch. That is it. There is no need to pay too much attention to certain details that are just studio things, because every rapper has the right to feel they are killing the game. It’s a personal feeling, and I like the confidence in many rappers but all of us no fit sleep put head for the same position.

So are we to expect any form of response from the English side?

Well, if that will be done, it will be for the right purpose and not in response to a diss track. I don’t have that kind of time. I’ve been away for almost a year; it will actually be tacky of me to now come back to face people. I’m more interested in music, because now I will be doing a lot of stuff people haven’t seen me do before in my music.

You are sounding more like a commercial rapper these days. Are you changing your style?

My new released video ‘King Kong’ is a rap song. Forget about it sounding like a commercial song; what makes a rap song is not just the beat but the lyrics, the dance, the flow and so many other things. Whether it’s on a Fuji beat or Afro beat, as long as all the factors of rap are included in it, that’s a song.

Should your fans expect a collabo with Reminisce in the near future?

Yes, Reminisce and I are surprisingly very cool right now. The only reason why you haven’t heard anything from us is because we’ve been busy, and we’re not rushing to do the collabo. At this point, we’re taking things one-step at a time, but trust me it’s on the way. It’s not even like we’ve actually spoken about it, but definitely there would be something from us in 2015.

Could you briefly tell us about your Metro Taxi deal?

It wasn’t a deal o, before they will say I’m the ambassador of Metro Taxi and girls will be loitering around me (laughs). But, seriously, no disrespect to the girls. Shout out to my former manager, he played the role of advertising my music brand on their platform.

Are you planning any collabo with your sister, Shola Vibrator?

Seriously, I keep everything family off media; it’s not a spot that I want to be in. I don’t discuss it because it’s family, and it’s very delicate, so I keep them off the media. Family is too precious to me to be in an equation such as the media; their perception might be funny.

Are you in a relationship?

It’s been on and off, because I’m always busy, studio work and all that. Most times I spend my whole day in the studio.

So you’re not considering marriage as part of your plans for 2015?

Not at all! Wouldn’t you be shocked if I told you I wanted to get married this year? There are definitely no wedding bells this 2015; there’s even no woman to marry yet.

Tell us about your role with the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry?

It’s one of the great deals though, and at this point – no offence or disrespect, it’s high time we had ambassadors with brains and not just being on the cover of a company’s brand. I have been asked to hold seminars with stakeholders at meetings that I probably didn’t have an idea of what it means. So, I’ve had to read up to meet up and I like that challenge. It’s actually awesome; the last time it was on tourism and it was the bomb. It’s indeed awesome.

So how did you get the contact for the role?

The contact was between Nosa Omoreghe and Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry. I was in the know from the start, and seriously so far, it has been awesome because I’ve come across so many things I never knew before.

What is your perception about the Nigerian music industry?

It’s a process and it’s growing. I can’t judge the industry because its growing and it will grow. It can be better and it will be better.

Have you ever thought about having your own label and signing artistes?

I will make this clear: record label or no record label, movement or no movement, I will definitely work with any artiste just to help them and not to be able to say I’m making any form of income. I’m not interested in that partnership. Let everybody just grow; the music needs to be out there. I no dey carry record label for head.

Have you ever considered taking up acting after your artistic display in your video, ‘Shiga’?

Yes, people actually think I’m funny after that display in my video, which is very odd (laughs). I’m working towards that and I’m open to any movie role, even porn, that is if the money is dope (laughs again).

If any record label in Nigeria wants to sign you, will you consider it?

Inking a deal will be of different phase; I mean there would be options. There are certain deals I’m willing to consider. So far so good, we are doing okay, but of course I’m open to talks from any record label that is speaking my language. Any serious hardworking institution that has something to offer; I would consider the move.