Vector’s Lafiaji is different and here is why.

Artist: Vector

Album Title:Lafiaji

Record Label: GRAP Music

Tracks: 21

Producers: Liciouscrackitt, Vector, BJ, Masterkraft, Jaey’O, Jaymoh, DJ Embassey, Johnny Drille, Mekoyo

Duration: 75:06

Four years after his sophomore dropped, Olanrewaju Ogunbekun, better known by his stage moniker, Vector, released his third album in the last days of 2016, as an early Christmas gift. Called Lafiaji after that popular Lagos Island Street, this album is not only ambitious in its choice of title but also in the number of tracks. At twenty-one plus three bonus tracks, this is in excess of the standard excessive Nigerian album—but this is not the only problem.

There have been age-old references to Lafiaji Street both in folklore, highlife music and even fuji music. Easily, one of the key streets in Isale Eko, this street is almost representative of an entire Lagos Island subculture. When one thinks about Lagos Island, one imagines Portuguese architecture or what is left of it, Afro-Brazilian ancestry, Agidigbo music, a dense population and proximity to the waters.

After an umpteenth listen, this is not what Vector aspires to. Vector’s Lafiaji is different and here is why. Vector spent some of his formative years growing up in Lafiaji, went to St Gregory’s college, Obalende and then sailed down to Unilag on the mainland for his graduate studies in Philosophy. Vector is a rapper invested in the American tradition of hip-hop music. He understands the importance of the politics of place in his music and this is why he plays it up prominently in his third album.

The album begins with praise to God and a caveat that this album will be so sweet that you will need ‘jedi’. Then the music lapses into its actual mode in the eponymous song, “Lafiaji’ which features sonorous singing from Shola Vibrate. If Lafiaji has the rapturous attitude of a carnival song, ‘Adurah’ is solemn, tender and percussive but Vector’s rhymes are still remarkably defiant. ‘Fish Jaey’O’ is a landmark song that takes it opening refrain from Tunji Oyelana. The fish metaphor is really trite but this song energizes it and gives huge credit to that Loud strain of marijuana. There are more paeans for hemp on the Jesse Jagz assisted ‘Spiritual’ and the highlife tune, ‘Beer Parlor Music’ which gives glory to alcohol.

Besides calling attention to place, this album mostly concerns itself with marijuana and leering at the female anatomy. If you ask me, things still revolve around that Igbo, Shayo, Ashewo tripartite that Da Grin characterized on his classic album, Chief Executive Omo-Ita.

Vector is more than competent as a rapper. His word play is perhaps his strongest asset. His story-telling is better than your average. His range and cross-over appeal also checks out even if it feels sometimes restricted. His concerns however seem fixated and exuberant. The first thing he makes to rhyme with his hood, Lafiaji, is ibadi, wiggling buttocks. In the scheme of making rhymes, there should be an order of importance. In my reckoning, rapping about one’s hood should come from a place of nostalgia and lofty memory. Majority of those residing in Lagos Island are hardworking traders who spend the best part of their lives watching their wares, haggling prices and calculating profits. Every hub of activity revolves around trade, even the touts who mark territory and impose taxes while smoking their skunk, drinking their gin and sweet-talking their future baby mamas. Sadly, these stories don’t reflect in Vector’s Lafiaji. Rather his narrative embraces the personal and profane.

The production quality of some songs leaves more to be desired and these are mostly skits on which Vector produced or co-produced. But Masterkraft is king on every song he touches on this album including the fiesta jam, ‘Lafiaji’ which is best imagined played at the Lagos carnival.

On this album, Vector’s modest attempts at crossover are rewarding. Perhaps if he was a bit more frontal (read daring) Lafiaji might have resonated better with those who have a kinship for the place.