Rap star, Olanrewaju David Ogunmefun, better known by the alias Vector puts rap in the forefront with the majestical nature of the release of his second studio album titled after his late father, Teslim: The Energy Still Lives in Me.
Vector is known for his pensive philosophies on life and deep approach to making records that resonate with listeners, even decades after they are made. Teslim (for short) is no different! Vector profoundly gathers his life’s experiences, especially after the passing of his dad (who Vector refers to as “a great man”) into a culminative 16-track album delicately playing for almost 50 minutes.
With Teslim, Vector is unapologetically himself, not in search of the next hit song, he ponders on fatherhood (I Need You, Teslim Introduction), romantic relationships (Early Momo, Mama Maradona), his relationship with the Supreme Being–God and life’s endeavours and self-worth (Mercy, My Name (Choral Version), Soki Sombolo, Greed: Jayson Graham Call (Clowns Skit), You Don’t Know, Why Me) and of course, Nigeria’s political state (Insomnia, Clowns). In doing this, Vector tha Viper does not shy from allowing other fellow creatives in his space, synching rhymes and melodies with Nasty C (What’s That II), Seun Kuti (Mami Wota (Iyemoja)), AO – Machine (Big Flexa), LADIPOE (Clowns), GoodGirl LA (Early Momo), Ichaba & MILARE (I Need You), Seyi Vibez (Mercy), Wande Coal (Mama Maradona), Warri-bred star Erriga (You Don’t Know), producer cum singer Cracker Mallo (Insomnia) and French rapper and vocalist, Shadow Chris (Fefe (Ferrari)).
The production on Teslim: The Energy Still Lives in Me is handled majorly by versatile multi-instrumentalist Mr Kleb who is responsible for cooking up the beats to the album’s lead singles, Early Momo, Mama Maradona and My Name (studio version).
On Teslim, Vector making use of his bars addresses socio-political and pop culture icons such as the Minister of Works and Housing, Babtunde Fashola Lekki massacre camera incidence (Insomnia), Sean “P. Diddy” Combs clown scare on The Ellen DeGeneres Show (Clowns), religious leaders earning beautifully while their sheep live in poverty (Insomnia), LL Cool J‘s extraordinary loving by the ladies in the early ’90s (What’s That II), film legend Jackie Chan love for doing his stunts (Big Flexa), Immaculate wordplay between late Sound Sultan and his brother, Baba Dee names (Teslim Introduction) and a few others to buttress his message on those songs.
It would please you to listen to the sonic arrangement by Vector on his sophomore album, Teslim: The Energy Still Lives in Me: