Lasun Alagbe
Although popular rapper, Vector, does not rap in Yoruba as his Nigerian counterpart, Olamide, often does, he has said that it is the language and the Yoruba worldview that sustain him mentally.
The artiste with the real name Olanrewaju Ogunmefun , who hails from Ogun State but was born in Lagos, is emphasising the centrality of the indigenous culture in Nigeria.
In a session on Pulse Fun Fact with his colleague, Reminisce, Vector enthused: “If I could change anything in Nigeria, I would restrict Nigerian thinking to the traditional way. Let me rephrase: I would make sure our culture and traditions are heavily part of who we are.
“For example, in Yorubaland, Yoruba would get a higher mark in schools than any other study and in Igbo Land, Igbo language would get a higher mark than other courses so that you can get accustomed to the culture and preserve the core fabric of the country.
“Anybody can wake up and create something tech and we’d become technologically advanced, a person can become wealthy too. I have realised that the only thing that sustains us is our culture, and for me, what sustains me mentally is Yoruba. If I could change one thing, it’d be focusing on our essence as Nigerians.”
Vector attended Command Children School, Ijebu Ode Grammar School, Government College, Victoria Island & Saint Gregory’s College Ikoyi Lagos. He started his journey into hip-hop in junior high in 1994. In St. Gregory’s College, he was involved in various social activities in which he was made to perform on stage. In 1999, he formed a duo called Badder Boiz, who wrote their own songs and in the same year went on to start performing at showcases as a trio.
