Published on February, 20th 2023
One spin of Vector’s music, and you’re immediately enchanted, thrown into the magical soundscape that comes attached with his music.
Beyond the undeniably catchy hooks and verses, it’s the visual component he delivers that has you locked in and yearning for more. In describing himself, Vector explains, “As you grow, you’ll find out more about yourself. [laughs] But I like the simple life. I’m as African as they come. I was raised in the values and norms of the Yoruba culture”.
Vector hails as one of the biggest recording artists to come out of Africa, pushing forth his home country of Nigeria with each release. Boasting 1.4 million followers on Instagram alone, the rap icon lives, breathes, and sleeps music — adding a layer of perfectionism that only enhances his creativity and overall artistry.
Now on the heels of his previous project, the Vibes Before Teslim EP, Vector returns with his most meaningful project to date: Teslim: The Energy Still Lives In Me. The 16-track project is named after his late father, spearheaded by lead singles “Early Momo” and “Mama Maradona,” both of whom accumulate over 16 million streams and counting.
TheFoxMagazine spoke with Vector, who was on his way to a house party in Nigeria. Read below as we discuss his recent marriage, his inspirations, the new project, and more!
How are you doing?
I’m blessed. It’s the holidays over here. Spent Christmas with family. Lunch, dinner. Hung out with some friends.
Did I see you just got married? Congratulations.
Yes, I did. Thank you. It doesn’t feel new if you’ve always wanted the person you got married to, right? It’s just the official version of what’s always been.
I saw people online saying you kept it low-key. That was on purpose?
Yeah, we always wanted something simple. Nothing too crazy. That’s how we are, we like it simple. We like life simple, it’s best that way.
How long have you guys been together?
For a while. [laughs]
Was there a moment that you said damn, I can do music for real?
I never really had that moment. It was always a go moment for me because it’s what I like doing. It’s who I am: every day, every time. I’ve had serious hurdles to jump through or jump over, but the struggle couldn’t outweigh the will to make music or keep being myself. That’s how it’s been from the jump until now. I’ve never had a 9 to 5, I’ve never done anything other than what I’m doing.
TheFoxMagazine is all about inspiration. Who or what inspires you the most?
My inspiration is life and everything that comes with it.
Can you explain the cover art for your new album, Teslim? I know it’s dedicated to your late father.
What I was wearing, I found out late because I grew up in Lagos. I was born in Lagos and grew up in Lagos. But then I’m finding out about a style and tradition to very popular traditional event called Ojude Oba in Ijebu-Ode… my dad is Ijebu isanyin.
We rode on horses to the event. The whole experience inspired the styling of the album art which is the white Agbada with local style embroidery and cape on the horse. In some African context, especially in the Yoruba community, passing on is referenced in conversations as night time although in this case, the moon signifies the new form of the Teslim energy in line with the acronym The Energy Still Lives In Me (even though it’s night time).
Talk about recording “Mercy,” that music video is so fire.
“Mercy” is a record I made from a conversation I had had with my dad before he passed. He thought it would, it could work if I was able to make hip hop records but with traditional celestial church hymns. “Mercy” came as a result of that.
What was your vision with the music video?
That was myself and Olu The Wave coming up with a concept of self-assurance, through whatever struggles there are. So even if I set myself ablaze, I’ll still survive… That’s what the music video really is about.
What artist did you work with that was the most impactful?
Every one of the artists I worked with, I would not work without thinking impact in the first place. Say for example, even with the chorus on the outro of the album, there’s zero autotune on that record. Everybody has been impactful in their field of expertise that they’ve added. Be them singers, be them rappers, be them hype men, be them producers, everybody has had impact. The combination of all our works has created an energy of music that connects with people in an amazing way.
My gratitude to everyone of them.
What would you be doing if you weren’t doing music?
That’s funny, because I’ve never done anything but music. I could be a writer. A creative director for the Hennessy VS class. You may check out the cypher on YouTube. I could be anything I want to be.
What does it mean to work with Hennessy?
It’s impressive to be able to do corporate work, but still in the line of hip-hop. Then real African talents in the most inclusive way possible, although growing bigger, It feels good to be able to do something of that proportion. Also be able to travel with them to France and see their heritage and culture.
It’s been a wholesome experience.
What’s one piece of advice you have for aspiring musicians?
To aspiring musicians, do your best to never get carried away. Be sure to stay honest to yourself in case there is a need to trace steps back to who you originally are.
Anything you’re excited for next?
I’m excited for life. I am excited for my life. I have an interesting live project showcase coming up. It’s been a long time since I have been this excited about anything.
Connect With Vector!
Get To Know Vector: One Of The Biggest Recording Artists To Come Out Of Nigeria
One spin of Vector’s music, and you’re immediately enchanted, thrown into the magical soundscape that comes attached with his music.
Beyond the undeniably catchy hooks and verses, it’s the visual component he delivers that has you locked in and yearning for more. In describing himself, Vector explains, “As you grow, you’ll find out more about yourself. [laughs] But I like the simple life. I’m as African as they come. I was raised in the values and norms of the Yoruba culture”.
Vector hails as one of the biggest recording artists to come out of Africa, pushing forth his home country of Nigeria with each release. Boasting 1.4 million followers on Instagram alone, the rap icon lives, breathes, and sleeps music — adding a layer of perfectionism that only enhances his creativity and overall artistry.
Now on the heels of his previous project, the Vibes Before Teslim EP, Vector returns with his most meaningful project to date: Teslim: The Energy Still Lives In Me. The 16-track project is named after his late father, spearheaded by lead singles “Early Momo” and “Mama Maradona,” both of whom accumulate over 16 million streams and counting.
TheFoxMagazine spoke with Vector, who was on his way to a house party in Nigeria. Read below as we discuss his recent marriage, his inspirations, the new project, and more!
How are you doing?
I’m blessed. It’s the holidays over here. Spent Christmas with family. Lunch, dinner. Hung out with some friends.
Did I see you just got married? Congratulations.
Yes, I did. Thank you. It doesn’t feel new if you’ve always wanted the person you got married to, right? It’s just the official version of what’s always been.
I saw people online saying you kept it low-key. That was on purpose?
Yeah, we always wanted something simple. Nothing too crazy. That’s how we are, we like it simple. We like life simple, it’s best that way.
How long have you guys been together?
For a while. [laughs]
Was there a moment that you said damn, I can do music for real?
I never really had that moment. It was always a go moment for me because it’s what I like doing. It’s who I am: every day, every time. I’ve had serious hurdles to jump through or jump over, but the struggle couldn’t outweigh the will to make music or keep being myself. That’s how it’s been from the jump until now. I’ve never had a 9 to 5, I’ve never done anything other than what I’m doing.
TheFoxMagazine is all about inspiration. Who or what inspires you the most?
My inspiration is life and everything that comes with it.
Can you explain the cover art for your new album, Teslim? I know it’s dedicated to your late father.
What I was wearing, I found out late because I grew up in Lagos. I was born in Lagos and grew up in Lagos. But then I’m finding out about a style and tradition to very popular traditional event called Ojude Oba in Ijebu-Ode… my dad is Ijebu isanyin.
We rode on horses to the event. The whole experience inspired the styling of the album art which is the white Agbada with local style embroidery and cape on the horse. In some African context, especially in the Yoruba community, passing on is referenced in conversations as night time although in this case, the moon signifies the new form of the Teslim energy in line with the acronym The Energy Still Lives In Me (even though it’s night time).
Talk about recording “Mercy,” that music video is so fire.
“Mercy” is a record I made from a conversation I had had with my dad before he passed. He thought it would, it could work if I was able to make hip hop records but with traditional celestial church hymns. “Mercy” came as a result of that.
What was your vision with the music video?
That was myself and Olu The Wave coming up with a concept of self-assurance, through whatever struggles there are. So even if I set myself ablaze, I’ll still survive… That’s what the music video really is about.
What artist did you work with that was the most impactful?
Every one of the artists I worked with, I would not work without thinking impact in the first place. Say for example, even with the chorus on the outro of the album, there’s zero autotune on that record. Everybody has been impactful in their field of expertise that they’ve added. Be them singers, be them rappers, be them hype men, be them producers, everybody has had impact. The combination of all our works has created an energy of music that connects with people in an amazing way.
My gratitude to everyone of them.
What would you be doing if you weren’t doing music?
That’s funny, because I’ve never done anything but music. I could be a writer. A creative director for the Hennessy VS class. You may check out the cypher on YouTube. I could be anything I want to be.
What does it mean to work with Hennessy?
It’s impressive to be able to do corporate work, but still in the line of hip-hop. Then real African talents in the most inclusive way possible, although growing bigger, It feels good to be able to do something of that proportion. Also be able to travel with them to France and see their heritage and culture.
It’s been a wholesome experience.
What’s one piece of advice you have for aspiring musicians?
To aspiring musicians, do your best to never get carried away. Be sure to stay honest to yourself in case there is a need to trace steps back to who you originally are.
Anything you’re excited for next?
I’m excited for life. I am excited for my life. I have an interesting live project showcase coming up. It’s been a long time since I have been this excited about anything.
Connect With Vector!
