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Veteran Rapper, VECTOR Opens Up To City People
There is something about veteran rapper, Vector the Viper that makes his journey in the Nigerian music industry worth telling again. He is one of those artistes whose careers cannot be measured only by hit songs, streaming numbers or how often they trend on social media. With Vector, there is always a conversation about the music itself: the lyrics, the wordplay, the message and the determination of a man who has refused to allow changing musical tastes to define the limits of his talent.
For more than a decade, Vector has remained one of the names that come up whenever conversations about lyricism and Nigerian hip-hop begin. He has enjoyed recognition, experienced professional setbacks, faced controversy and watched the industry change around him. Yet, he is still making music, exploring new sounds and finding fresh ways to express himself.
His recent appearance at On A Platter Of Bars 3, the hip-hop and battle-rap event hosted by Battle Rap Africa on October 17, 2026, offered another reminder of his connection to the culture. Vector shut down the event with his presence, making the night an important gathering for lovers of rap, lyrical competition and hip-hop culture.
But why has he continued to hold on to music despite the challenges?
For Vector, the answer can be found in the difficult periods he has survived and his determination to remain true to himself.
In this interview with City People he spoke about the difficult period surrounding his dispute with his former record label, YSG Entertainment back in the years. He revealed that the dispute affected his career at a time when he was still establishing himself in the industry.
“The only time I felt like quitting was when I had my court case,” he said.
It was a revealing admission from an artiste known for his confidence and sharp delivery. Behind the bars was a musician who had also experienced the frustration of seeing professional difficulties interfere with his creative ambitions.
Vector recalled losing money during that period and struggling with the situation. Rather than abandon music, however, he invested what he had left in equipment for a small home studio and continued recording.
His experience became a test of his commitment. Instead of allowing a difficult chapter to end his career, he found another way to keep working.
For an artiste whose career depends on creativity, the ability to continue despite setbacks is important. Vector’s journey shows that talent alone does not guarantee a smooth ride in the music business. There are times when patience, resilience and the willingness to start again matter just as much.
Vector’s determination has also influenced the way he approaches music. While many rap fans expect him to remain strictly within traditional hip-hop, he has consistently argued that artistes should have the freedom to explore different sounds.
Still speaking to City People, he defended artistic freedom and explained his interest in blending rap with African rhythms, a direction he calls Rapfrobeat.
“Every artiste has the right to affiliate with music how they wish. Let’s not box anything in,” he said.
For Vector, being a rapper should not prevent him from singing, experimenting with melodies or drawing inspiration from the music he grew up listening to.
His musical influences extend beyond American hip-hop. Growing up in Lagos, he encountered different sounds, including Fuji and other traditional Nigerian music. He has argued that African rappers should be able to express themselves over African beats rather than feel compelled to imitate American sounds.
That belief has shaped his willingness to experiment. From the success of King Kong to projects such as Teslim: The Energy Still Lives in Me and Teslim: A Lover Boy PTSD, including his latest Joint Album Collaboration with Seun Kuti Big Bird and the Viper Vector has continued to explore different sides of his artistry.
His music has moved beyond competitive rap to explore love, emotional vulnerability and personal experiences. Rather than see this as abandoning his roots, he appears to view it as an opportunity to grow.
Vector also spoke about the frustrations he believes he has encountered in the music industry.
He disclosed the difficulties of remaining true to himself and claimed that he had been shadow-banned. These were his personal assertions about his experience, but they offered insight into his perception of the challenges surrounding his career.
His much-discussed rivalry with M.I Abaga also became a defining chapter in Nigerian hip-hop. The disagreement generated widespread debate among rap fans, bringing questions about lyrical ability, competition and the direction of Nigerian rap into the spotlight.
Yet, Vector has continued to make music rather than allow past conflicts to define his entire career.
In this conversation with City People, he explained why he finds satisfaction in his creative abilities.
“I couldn’t depend on people to make me happy when God has given me the gifts that make me happy by myself,” he said.
Those words provide an insight into his mindset. An artiste who depends entirely on public approval may struggle whenever attention shifts elsewhere. But someone who finds fulfilment in creating can continue to work even when the industry is not paying as much attention.
For Vector, the music itself remains important. His appearance at On A Platter Of Bars 3 on October 17, 2026, was another reminder of his place in Nigerian hip-hop. Hosted by Battle Rap Africa at Trib3 Lagos, Victoria Island, the event brought together competitive battle rappers and musical performers for a night celebrating lyrical ability and hip-hop culture.
Battle rap is an important part of the culture because it places words at the centre of the contest. It demands writing, delivery, timing, presence of mind and the ability to command an audience.
In an industry increasingly shaped by viral moments and short social media clips, battle rap encourages listeners to pay attention to the craft. A clever punchline can change the atmosphere of a room, while a well-delivered verse can win over an audience.
For Vector, whose reputation has long been associated with lyricism, the environment is a natural fit.
His appearance helped make On A Platter Of Bars 3 a memorable gathering for hip-hop enthusiasts. It also reinforced the importance of connecting established artistes with the spaces where younger performers can develop and showcase their skills.
The event was more than another performance. It was a celebration of the writing, competition and creativity that helped build hip-hop.
Vector has also found fresh inspiration in his personal life.
On October 9, 2026, he released Dad & Dot, a single featuring Cynthia Ifie that explores fatherhood and the relationship between fathers and daughters.
Vector also discussed the importance of fathers being emotionally present in their children’s lives. He argued that work pressures and economic realities can make it difficult for parents to spend meaningful time with their children.
The song grew out of an event he organised around his birthday on August 7, bringing together friends who were fathers of girls. The gathering featured activities for the children and inspired an idea he hopes to develop into an annual initiative.
The project reveals another side of Vector. The rapper known for sharp punchlines is now using his music to discuss family, responsibility and emotional connection.
Speaking about the importance of continuing to create while protecting one’s emotional well-being, he offered advice that could also describe his own journey:
“Just keep acting. Protect your art, and protect your heart, and you’ll be fine.”
It is a message that connects his experiences as an artiste with the lessons he has learnt along the way.
At 42, Vector has reached a stage where he no longer needs to prove that he can rap. His catalogue, awards, collaborations and long-standing reputation have already established that.
What remains is the question of what he wants to do with the platform he has built.
His journey suggests that he has no intention of spending the rest of his career trying to recreate the past. He is exploring new sounds, discussing personal experiences through music and maintaining his connection to the hip-hop culture that shaped him.
The Nigerian music industry will continue to change. New artistes will arrive with new sounds, and audiences will develop new tastes. But Vector’s career offers a lesson in how an artiste can evolve without losing sight of his identity.
Perhaps that is the real reason Vector the Viper has not given up on music. He is still discovering what music can do for him, what he can communicate through it and how much of his life he can turn into something other people can hear and understand.
The hits matter. The awards matter. The recognition matters. But beyond all of them is the simple fact that he still wants to create.
And for a musician who has spent years insisting on doing things his own way, that may be the strongest reason of all to keep going.
By Emmanuel Daniji
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