Ogun State born Nigerian artiste and graduate of Philosophy from University of Lagos, Oyemefun Olanrewaju popularly known as Vector Tha Viper gained prominence in the entertainment industry shortly after he featured in General Pype’s Champion Remix. Born to be great as he often referred to himself, Vector Tha Viper is ready to take over the industry as he drops two new singles from his yet to be album. Cornered at an event recently, he spoke with MUTIAT ALLI, about life as a musician, why he is bent on
What informs the name Vector Tha Viper; hope you are not here to infiltrate the industry with a virus?
Definitely not, presently I am here to infiltrate every corner of the industry with my good will message, I basically carry a virus of good music and the Viper in me is that part of my music that bites and infects you. My kind of virus to erase all forms of what we call bad music and lyrics out in the industry.
How will you classify your own genres of music?
Basically, I rap but I do Hip Hop, officially I will call it Afro Hip Hop.
Rap music is still not much appreciated here in Nigeria, only few rap artistes are classified among the A-lists, how do you intend to change this?
Basically, there is this adage that says “Whatever name a child is christened with, that will be the name the child bears forever”. So, if you do good music, people will appreciate you as a good rapper, what I am trying to do is that I am coming into the industry to stick to the scripts and make people understand that rap music is not all about bragging (though, it is allowed), there are other parts of Rap music that are neglected, Rap can actually be good music not about violence, supremacy over one other counterpart, we can still make good music and relate with everybody as a rapper.
Artistes these days now do more of dancehall and Nigerians love it, do you intend subscribing to that school of thought?
That is still an elementary school of thought, I don’t mean to disrespect anybody, dancehall is good music, everybody is catching the bug but I think dancehall music should come from the dance artistes, Rap music should come from rappers, if they say Nigerians are feeling more of dancehall song, but I can say categorically that there are songs in Nigeria that are not dancehalls but people love them. Dr Ebenezer Obey didn’t do dancehall, King Sunny Ade didn’t do dancehall, there are quite a number of good songs from contemporary artistes that are not dancehalls and Nigerians are feeling it.
How did you get into entertainment?
We are majorly musicians in my family, I am used to all kinds of sounds during morning devotions and my eldest sister happens to be a lead singer in the choir, she puts me through the technique of harmonizing different sounds, back in the days, I use to walk past boys doing some kind of rap for fun, I see them playing with rhymes like generator, penetrator all for fun and all that, I got thrilled every time I hear them, that was how I fell in love with rap basically.
How has it been so far?
It’s been fun, lots of disappointments at times, it is where am trying to get to and people that am trying to reach that matters most to me, my destination and fans, anytime I remember that there is somebody out there that truly appreciates my kind of music, it uplifts my spirit.
In your song Kilode you mentioned names of a number of wave- making acts, why?
The song ‘Kilode’ if you listen to the song deeply, it is one truth that everybody has had in mind but nobody ever said anything, I was at Sam Clef studio and he played me a few tunes and I liked them, I just went into the boot and I did my thing, the first verse if you listen carefully is about people trying to undermine my lyrical abilities and trying to compare me with one act or the other, I was like, can’t I just do my own thing then Emmsong came and did the chorus, I was only speaking my mind in the remaining verses. Basically, I was not trying to touch any anybody’s weak sides, it was just me saying the truth that needed to be told but it came out of a freestyle session.
Another single off your forthcoming album Mary Jane what lady were you actually talking about?
When you like a lady so much and she makes you high, that lady is your Mary Jane, I just played with the name in a dynamic way; Mary Jane can be somebody’s girlfriend, anything that gets you off the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
People said you were referring to the female rapper Blaisé?
Like I told you, Mary Jane could be anybody, people are just fabricating stories from the song, and to me Mary Jane means anything that makes you high.
Most of your intonations sound like Jay-Z?
I can’t sound how I am not meant to sound; it won’t just work out for me. I only sound like a human being and natural. For the fact that people tells me that I sound like my brother and walk like my dad does not make me my dad. I am me….straight up in your face.
Are you trying to follow the likes of Ruggedman by spitting so much venom in your song?
I was raised to always lead and not to follow. I want to make this fact known that I am not trying to be controversial in any form, I say the truth always, I am blunt. Kilode is not a personal beef, it is the truth that needed to be told and I am not trying to follow anybody’s shadow.
How did your parents take your decision to go into music rather than looking for a job?
I wonder every time my Dad listens to my song, I am from a typical Nigeria family, we were given all the proper training, my Dad expects me to be this sophisticated working- class person but when I told him I wanted to record my first demo, he gave me money and he gave me all the encouragement, he never knew how serious I was until he heard my song I love you Nigeria recently, they are fully in support of my dreams and my mum now calls me ‘vector the viper’, they are positively in support of Olanrewaju their son.
Who are those top Nigerian artistes that you have worked with?
I guess I am just building that, I have done collaborations with many, the major ones are smoking with Paul Play Dairo, Shayo remix by Bigiano, the famous Champion Remix by General Pype, Good or Bad remix and Pami with Modina.
How are you coping with stardom and the appreciation from your fans?
I am still in that spirit where I am enjoying having fans, I receive commendations, lots of e-mails, it lifts my spirit that somebody out there somewhere is listening to my music and they find peace of heart listening to me, no complaint about being a star, I am enjoying every bit of it.
Aside music, what else do you do?
I am into creative stuffs, I draw, contribute write-ups in magazines and I am also a good motivational speaker, I’m still looking forward to seeing the day I will be paid big bucks for merely talking sense into people.
What label are you on?
Am on YSG entertainment, it’s not a local outfit because they have international ties abroad.
Who are your role models?
I wouldn’t say Dagrin of blessed memory is my role model as far as Rap Music in Nigeria is concerned because everybody is now claiming to have a relationship with him just for the publicity it brings, I have worked with the guy and I have loads of respect for him, my role models are majorly underground Artistes, Ludacris, Jay Z and Ice Cube.
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