Olanrewaju Ogunmefun (born 7 August 1984), popularly known as Vector Tha Viper or simply, Vector, is a Nigerian rapper, singer, and songwriter, who has released four studio albums: State of Surprise, The Second Coming, Lafíaji, and Vibes Before Teslim: A Journey to Self-Discovery. He has also released several mixtapes, including Bar Racks and The Rap Dialogue. Vector is known for his record-breaking freestyle skills and has been the voice of Sprite’s radio commercial in Nigeria since 2009.
Profile Summary
| Full Name: | Olanrewaju Ogunmefun David |
| Date Of Birth: | August 7, 1984 |
| State Of Origin: | Ogun, Nigeria |
| Nationality: | Nigerian |
| Occupation: | Rapper, Singer, Songwriter, Record Producer, Actor |
| Labels: | GRAP ENTERTAINMENT (current). Def Jam Africa (former). YSG Entertainment (former) |
| Net Worth: | $1.3 Million |
Early Life And Education
Lanre, born in Lagos State hailing from Ogun State, is the fourth of five siblings. He attended prestigious schools in Nigeria, including Command Children School, Ijebu Ode Grammar School, Government College Victoria Island, and Saint Gregory’s College Ikoyi Lagos.
Lanre’s passion for hip-hop began in 1994 during his junior high school days. In St. Gregory’s College, he actively participated in various extracurricular activities, honing his performance skills on stage.
In 1999, he co-founded the group Badder Boiz, writing and performing their own songs. They recorded their debut demo the same year and began performing at talent showcases. Vector’s emcee skills flourished, and the trio, consisting of Vector, Krystal, and Blaze, performed together until Krystal’s departure in 2004 due to creative differences. Lanre then pursued higher education at the University of Lagos, graduating with a degree in philosophy in 2008.
Career
Vector, a renowned Nigerian rapper, launched his music career in 2010 with the single “Kilode” from his debut album “State of Surprise”. He followed up with “Mary Jane” and the album’s release in October 2010, featuring top artists like 2 Face Idibia, General Pype, and Chuddy K.
His subsequent releases included “Get Down”, “Angeli” (ft. 9ice), and “Mr. Vector” (ft. Jazzy), which enjoyed heavy radio rotation and earned him nominations at the Nigerian Music Video Awards and Nigeria Entertainment Awards. He continued to make waves with hits like “Born Leader” (ft. Mavado), “King Kong”, and “Kanawan Dabo”, showcasing his lyrical prowess and versatility.
In May 2020, Vector signed a record deal with Def Jam Africa, solidifying his position as a leading figure in African hip-hop. This milestone was followed by another notable feat in December 2022, when he was featured in the prestigious Hennessy Cypher alongside top rappers like M.I Abaga, A-Reece, and M.anifest. With his impressive discography and collaborations, Vector has cemented his status as a trailblazer in the Nigerian music industry.
Vector is a talented rapper who holds the impressive record for the longest rap freestyle in both Africa and Nigeria. He achieved this feat at the “Rhythm Freestyle Fury” event, where he freestyled for an astonishing 2 hours and 30 minutes, effortlessly incorporating random words thrown at him into his rap. This remarkable display of skill and creativity solidified his reputation as a master of freestyle rap.
Awards
| YEAR | AWARD CEREMONY | AWARD CATEGORY |
| 2011 | Nigerian Music Video Awards (NMVA) | Best Mainstream Hip-hop Video |
| 2012 | The Headies Nigerian Entertainment Awards | Lyricist On The Roll Best Rap Act |
| 2015 | The Headie | Lyricist On The Roll, Best Rap Single |
| 2021 | Afro X Digitals Awards | Best Rap Single Of The Year |
| 2023 | The Headies | Best Rap Album, Lyricist On The Roll |
Personal Life
Vector, a renowned rapper, is a proud father of two daughters. His first daughter is from a previous relationship, while his second daughter is with his wife, Yinka Coker, a physiotherapist. They got married on December 21, 2022, and Vector cherishes every moment with his family, considering his daughters his greatest blessings.
Net Worth
With an estimated net worth of $1.3 million, Vector is one of the wealthiest rappers in Nigeria.
