‘I was exposed to music properly in the white garment church’ – Vector reveals how his Celestial Church background brought success to his music career

THE NATION

Rapper, singer and songwriter Vector the Viper has revealed that his diverse musical background has been instrumental in his ability to stay relevant in the industry.

In an interview with Arise News, Vector credited his Yoruba heritage and early Christian upbringing in a white garment church for shaping his unique sound.

He emphasised the importance of versatility in music, noting that every artist should be free to express themselves in their own way.

“Every artiste has the right to affiliate with music how they wish. Let’s not box anything in. I have been honest with my music and as a Yoruba boy, I was raised with words and proverbs and wise sayings. Those things form like the core background of what you do. But then, I was also exposed to music properly in the white garment church. So how do I box myself? Which is why I say I am just within the confines of music,”he said.
Vector also discussed his fusion of rap and Afrobeat, dubbed “Rap-frobeat,” which he believes allows artists to maintain their originality while experimenting with different styles.
“With Rap-frobeat, I realized that the majority of the things that we claim will always lead to foreign intelligence to define and also even with Afrobeat, I have done a little bit of academic inquiry into it, but musically speaking. But Afrobeats as a music genre is probably in the recent past, the only genre of music that can embody different genres of music and still maintain its original identity,” he stated.
He explained that he pioneered this genre to prove to critics that he possessed vocal talent and a gift for words.

“So, yes, there is Afrobeat like the one Fela has done which is legendary but the way that the contemporary artistes have been able to fuse things together. So, I then made Rap-frobeat because I feel like, especially those of us that came into the rap game, there is this misrepresentation that says because you are a rapper, you can’t sing, whereas in my head, as Africans, we are blessed with words,” Vector added.

READ THE FULL STORY IN THE NATION

VIA CITY PEOPLE

MANY DON’T KNOW VECTOR DA VIPER AND I ARE SIBLINGS – JUJU SINGER, SOLA VIBRATOR

Sola Taiwo popularly known as Solar Vibrator is a Juju music star presently rocking the social events in Lagos and its environs. She is beautiful and versatile in the trade. Her performance on stage is top-notched as she stands head-high among the male counterpart that are usually known to be masters on stage.  This is part of what makes her the toast of many socialites as she is highly sought after to perform at their events.

Recently, Sola Vibrator had a chat with City People’s JAMIU ABUBAKAR where she revealed how she became a singer, how music runs in her family and how closely related she is to the ace rapper, Vector Da Viper. Below are the excerpts. Read and enjoy.

Tell us about how you began your music career?

From the inception, music has been an in-built thing. In fact, in my family, we are all singers apart from one of my siblings. So singing has been one of the things I’ve been doing right from time. My parents are very good singers but they are not doing it for showbiz. My younger brother is Vector Da Viper; Olarewaju Ogunmefun. I have a younger brother, DJ Magnum. He is in South Africa. I have another younger brother, Yomi Abayomi Ogunmefun. He’s the one managing Vector and he is also a rapper. My journey began from the church, I am a celestial church member, and I have been leading the church’s choir from the tender age of seven. It was a passion at first and I later took it up professionally when I started working at the studio as a backup singer for big artistes. On this premise, I made sure I learnt the ethics of the studio, and how to harmonize with different voices and it really helped me developed into a good Juju artiste.

For how long have you been singing?

Professionally, I have been singing for about 30 years now.

How was the experience of singing over the years like?

We went through thick and thin. You know if you are doing something and the whole thing is progressing, you should watch your back. Thank God! So far, it has been so good.

What inspires your brand of music?

First and foremost, God is my inspiration. I had also enjoyed the support of my father in his blessed memory. He really supported me. Sometimes I contested as a counselor of Lagos Island; my father was there for me. So, it’s God, then my father.