A Review of Vector TESLIM Album. Vector's "TESLIM (The Energy Still Lives In Me)" Is an introspection into his personality and Artistry. In the "Teslim (The Energy Still Lives In Me)" album, Trendybeatz writes about how Vector showcases his lyrical depth mastery, how he embarked on a long introspective journey armed with punchlines, an unafraid & seamless flow delivery and how the album is versatile in sound and explores the chase with smooth but fiery bars alluding to the state of society, love, self-worth and the music - immersed in the true meaning of hip hop and a mix of afrobeat. The genre is a blend of Afro-pop, Hip-hop, and R&B sonics.
A Review of Vector TESLIM Album. Vector TESLIM (The Energy Still Lives In Me) Is an introspection into his personality and Artistry
Apr 28
2024
2024
A Review of Vector TESLIM Album. Vector TESLIM (The Energy Still Lives In Me) Is an introspection into his personality and Artistry
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Vector is one of the most commercially acceptable rappers in Nigeria. For someone who has stayed true to the hip-hop genre, dropping albums and EPs that promote the rap culture, he's proven to be one of the most consistent rappers ever. If there exists any argument among hip-hop lovers in Nigeria, then, without doubt, Vector's project will stand out as an intense polarising point of discourse.
Doubled as Nigeria's most handsome rapper, his contribution to the hip-hop industry has bred a lot of young rappers. With his signature delivery of witty lines, word plays and deep writing prowess, Vector is up there as an intelligent musician, and there's always a feeling of honesty that envelopes the rhymes he employs to punctuate long introspective lines and verses.
Over the years, Olanrewaju Ogunmefun David, popularly known as Vector, has become increasingly vocal, pushing his music boundary to rule the mainstream with hip-hop. He has released several projects ranging from albums to EPs which have received mixed comments and reviews from music enthusiasts. From his 2016 album 'Lafiaji,' to the 2019 EP VIBES BEFORE TESLIM: The Journey To Self Discovery' and in 2020, he dropped stellar projects; 'The African Mind' and 'Crossroads,' the collaborative project with Masterkraft.
Wildly lyrical and boundless, his new album "Teslim" is an acronym coined from "The Energy Still Lives In Me". On soundscapes of Deep lyrics and punchlines & with a running time of 48 minutes 33 seconds, "Teslim (The Energy Still Lives In Me)" is a sixteen tracks long project, which features A-list & talented artists like Shado Chris, Nasty C, Seun Kuti, Wande Coal, Cracker Mallo, Seyi Vibez, Good Girl LA, AO - Machine, Ladipoe, Erigga, and MILARE, With music production assistance from Beatsmith, Major Bangz, Cracker Mallo, Kel P, Egar Boi and others.
The album opened with "Teslim Introduction". It's a perfect title to introduce the album to the listeners. It started with the intro voice of a lady who is a radio presenter called BB Ray. The lady throws a question: "Vector, with all the trials and glows, what have you realised so far?". One would expect Vector to give a story about his life; instead, he started rapping about Baby Mama drama, providing a point that nullifies such behaviour. He flows smoothly on this track.
The Major Bangz's produced track: "I need you", starts with a conversation that seems like Vector is speaking with his daughter, saying: "Are you ready? I'm not ready, when will you be ready?" It's hard-hitting with Vector's lyrics and Ichaba's chorus of missing someone. I miss you, baby, Know that I'll be here forever waiting, waiting, I miss you, baby Know that I'll be here forever waiting, waiting, yeah I know you know, you know, you know, I need you [I need you], yeah, I know you know, you know, you know, I need you". It's a direct letter to her daughter to keep her head up high and never stop.
On the Afro-pop track titled "WHY ME", Vector threw his middle finger to detractors who hated him and tagged them "Bad belle", which means haters. "Enemies dey tell me dem be nightmares/I just laugh/I don't sleep that much," he raps. The chords and drums and the simplicity of the hooks make the tracks melodious and easy to vibe to.
The hard-hitting track "You Don't Know" featuring Erigga gives a cool vibe as the intro, Vector croons in with Yoruba lines in the chorus. It rains word plays and punchlines on vector verse when he raps: "When God bless you e go simple like ABC/You buy things, leave change/Dis no be APC," & "The money be like one-minute man, as e dey come, e dy cum quick". The hook "You don't know/You don't know" is a highlight of the song as Erriga puts up a good shift with his motivational lines, inspiring and motivating people with his grass-to-grace story.
"Insomnia" is an emotive track that evokes a conscious feeling of societal issues. With Crackermallo, the track sounds perfect with his sultry vocal and melancholic tone. The chorus stands out, while Vector talks about dark themes like the synagogue building that collapsed and the #Endsars massacre. Taking subtle shots at Fashola.
Doubled as Nigeria's most handsome rapper, his contribution to the hip-hop industry has bred a lot of young rappers. With his signature delivery of witty lines, word plays and deep writing prowess, Vector is up there as an intelligent musician, and there's always a feeling of honesty that envelopes the rhymes he employs to punctuate long introspective lines and verses.
Over the years, Olanrewaju Ogunmefun David, popularly known as Vector, has become increasingly vocal, pushing his music boundary to rule the mainstream with hip-hop. He has released several projects ranging from albums to EPs which have received mixed comments and reviews from music enthusiasts. From his 2016 album 'Lafiaji,' to the 2019 EP VIBES BEFORE TESLIM: The Journey To Self Discovery' and in 2020, he dropped stellar projects; 'The African Mind' and 'Crossroads,' the collaborative project with Masterkraft.
Wildly lyrical and boundless, his new album "Teslim" is an acronym coined from "The Energy Still Lives In Me". On soundscapes of Deep lyrics and punchlines & with a running time of 48 minutes 33 seconds, "Teslim (The Energy Still Lives In Me)" is a sixteen tracks long project, which features A-list & talented artists like Shado Chris, Nasty C, Seun Kuti, Wande Coal, Cracker Mallo, Seyi Vibez, Good Girl LA, AO - Machine, Ladipoe, Erigga, and MILARE, With music production assistance from Beatsmith, Major Bangz, Cracker Mallo, Kel P, Egar Boi and others.
The album opened with "Teslim Introduction". It's a perfect title to introduce the album to the listeners. It started with the intro voice of a lady who is a radio presenter called BB Ray. The lady throws a question: "Vector, with all the trials and glows, what have you realised so far?". One would expect Vector to give a story about his life; instead, he started rapping about Baby Mama drama, providing a point that nullifies such behaviour. He flows smoothly on this track.
The Major Bangz's produced track: "I need you", starts with a conversation that seems like Vector is speaking with his daughter, saying: "Are you ready? I'm not ready, when will you be ready?" It's hard-hitting with Vector's lyrics and Ichaba's chorus of missing someone. I miss you, baby, Know that I'll be here forever waiting, waiting, I miss you, baby Know that I'll be here forever waiting, waiting, yeah I know you know, you know, you know, I need you [I need you], yeah, I know you know, you know, you know, I need you". It's a direct letter to her daughter to keep her head up high and never stop.
On the Afro-pop track titled "WHY ME", Vector threw his middle finger to detractors who hated him and tagged them "Bad belle", which means haters. "Enemies dey tell me dem be nightmares/I just laugh/I don't sleep that much," he raps. The chords and drums and the simplicity of the hooks make the tracks melodious and easy to vibe to.
The hard-hitting track "You Don't Know" featuring Erigga gives a cool vibe as the intro, Vector croons in with Yoruba lines in the chorus. It rains word plays and punchlines on vector verse when he raps: "When God bless you e go simple like ABC/You buy things, leave change/Dis no be APC," & "The money be like one-minute man, as e dey come, e dy cum quick". The hook "You don't know/You don't know" is a highlight of the song as Erriga puts up a good shift with his motivational lines, inspiring and motivating people with his grass-to-grace story.
"Insomnia" is an emotive track that evokes a conscious feeling of societal issues. With Crackermallo, the track sounds perfect with his sultry vocal and melancholic tone. The chorus stands out, while Vector talks about dark themes like the synagogue building that collapsed and the #Endsars massacre. Taking subtle shots at Fashola.
The tracks "Mercy" featuring Seyi Vibez and the track titled "Shoki Sombolo" are two hit-worthy songs. In "Mercy", Vector offers deep insight into the story of his life. It's a prayer to God. On the track, he raps, and in some parts, he sings. He admits to a superior power, albeit his sentiments about religion. He still says his prayer every night and asks God to bless his work. There are crowd vocals on the song, and Seyi Vibez offers his street-pop elements of afrobeat to the record. While "Soki Sombolo" has a bouncy beat that's laced with guitar chords, Vector talks about gossip who are jobless and only talks about other people. It's backed up by the vocals of children, which fall into the fray at the outro as the children sing the chorus alongside Vector.
On "Greed", Vector records his call conversation with Jayson Graham Call (Clowns Skit), where they both talk about fear and greed and how someone's fear can grow to greed and how it also limits one. It's a short but educational conversation. He tapped the hottest lyricist in Nigeria, Ladipoe, on the track titled "clowns", where they both exchanged lyrical bars on a drill beat exploring the concepts of greed in our society. The only constant thing on this track is Vector's rhythmic approach to his bars: "As long as you check the flag on my country And the green is the green, With the white in between, Being content versus pitching your tent, With the greedy is all in the genes." Vector spit bars.
The heavy baritone of the AQ machine on "Big Flexa" makes the chorus catchy as he calls out the name of 'big flexas'. Vector cuts to the chase with smooth but fiery bars as he raps and displays his braggadocious raps.
"What's that" suffice on Vector's "Lafiaji" album six years ago, and on this album, Vector made a follow-up on the mid-tempo track he titled "What's That II". It's a heavy-kick song that's laced with admins and smooth rap flows. Vector says, "Kiniyen", which means "What's that" while Nasty C says ", What's that". Vector and Nasty C show a great synergy on the track while playfully talking about beautiful women and life. Vector's usual tag "oshamo" and "ondu" stands out throughout the track.
Vector featured Nigeria's favourite vocalist Wande coal on the pre-released track titled "Mama Maradona", where the duo flowed on a trap beat. Vector put up his playboy mode. He calls himself Maradonaa, a player who's not ready for commitment. "You wey dey think say I'm good for your daughter, shior, me wey no good for myself," Vector raps. Wande Coal's sonorous voice is everything the track needs. It's a great contender for the best song on the album.
Vector displays versatility on the pure afrobeat track titled "Mami Wota (Iyemoja)", where he featured the child of the legendary Fela Kuti, Seun Kuti. It's a mid-tempo track and will also join the catalogue of love songs. The duo sings about a woman whom they compare to a marine spirit called Mami water. For most of the song, Vector raps in pidgin while Seun Kuti takes the chorus: "Somebody pray for me/she got ahold of me/Somebody daughter/Mami wota eh,". As a typical afrobeat masterpiece, the producer sprinkles saxophone tunes that uplift the rhythm, mostly on the chorus.
"Early Momo" featuring Good girl La is one of the pre-released songs on the album and automatically the most classic song on the project. It's one of those records that will never receive proper platforming but lives in the hearts of music enthusiasts and lovers. The Chemistry of the two artists on this sexual-tinged romantic tune, the slow tempo and Vectors' calmness in his flow delivery is remarkable.
The trap-tinged track "Fefe (Ferrari)" featuring the Ivorian singer Shado Chris has the artist delivering the chorus in its local language. Albeit the language barrier, the melody on the chorus is captivating. Vector brags about his achievements and feats attained and employs a balanced and impressive flow.
The outro track titled "My Name" (Choral version)" was first released as a single in April. On this track, Vector switched to the choral version, where he delivered a soothing performance. Originally as an Amapiano-influenced track, Vector acknowledges the power of a supreme being who knows everything about him, including his name, even before he was created. On a solemn note, it's the best way to close an album.
This album, "Teslim: The Energy Still Lives In Me", is made for an enjoyable listening experience. Each song tells a story, and it's sequenced in a way that carries the artist's aura. The only weakness of the project is its longevity. It's a lengthy album of 16 tracks. Vector did a fantastic job on the features selections, and he tried to showcase different parts of his personality by fusing grooving Afrobeats elements and Hip Hop while delivering them in a melodious production.
He has, without doubt, balanced the sound of afrobeats with hip-hop by setting one foot in Africa and another foot for the international audience. Singles like 'Why Me', 'early mono 'Mercy', 'What's That II', 'Maradona', and 'Fefe' are mainstream worthy in that they offer an enjoyable listening experience.
Do you think Vector achieved his Magnum Opus with this album? What can you say about the length of the album's tracklist, considering that the songs are mostly hip-hop influenced? Let's know your thoughts.
On "Greed", Vector records his call conversation with Jayson Graham Call (Clowns Skit), where they both talk about fear and greed and how someone's fear can grow to greed and how it also limits one. It's a short but educational conversation. He tapped the hottest lyricist in Nigeria, Ladipoe, on the track titled "clowns", where they both exchanged lyrical bars on a drill beat exploring the concepts of greed in our society. The only constant thing on this track is Vector's rhythmic approach to his bars: "As long as you check the flag on my country And the green is the green, With the white in between, Being content versus pitching your tent, With the greedy is all in the genes." Vector spit bars.
The heavy baritone of the AQ machine on "Big Flexa" makes the chorus catchy as he calls out the name of 'big flexas'. Vector cuts to the chase with smooth but fiery bars as he raps and displays his braggadocious raps.
"What's that" suffice on Vector's "Lafiaji" album six years ago, and on this album, Vector made a follow-up on the mid-tempo track he titled "What's That II". It's a heavy-kick song that's laced with admins and smooth rap flows. Vector says, "Kiniyen", which means "What's that" while Nasty C says ", What's that". Vector and Nasty C show a great synergy on the track while playfully talking about beautiful women and life. Vector's usual tag "oshamo" and "ondu" stands out throughout the track.
Vector featured Nigeria's favourite vocalist Wande coal on the pre-released track titled "Mama Maradona", where the duo flowed on a trap beat. Vector put up his playboy mode. He calls himself Maradonaa, a player who's not ready for commitment. "You wey dey think say I'm good for your daughter, shior, me wey no good for myself," Vector raps. Wande Coal's sonorous voice is everything the track needs. It's a great contender for the best song on the album.
Vector displays versatility on the pure afrobeat track titled "Mami Wota (Iyemoja)", where he featured the child of the legendary Fela Kuti, Seun Kuti. It's a mid-tempo track and will also join the catalogue of love songs. The duo sings about a woman whom they compare to a marine spirit called Mami water. For most of the song, Vector raps in pidgin while Seun Kuti takes the chorus: "Somebody pray for me/she got ahold of me/Somebody daughter/Mami wota eh,". As a typical afrobeat masterpiece, the producer sprinkles saxophone tunes that uplift the rhythm, mostly on the chorus.
"Early Momo" featuring Good girl La is one of the pre-released songs on the album and automatically the most classic song on the project. It's one of those records that will never receive proper platforming but lives in the hearts of music enthusiasts and lovers. The Chemistry of the two artists on this sexual-tinged romantic tune, the slow tempo and Vectors' calmness in his flow delivery is remarkable.
The trap-tinged track "Fefe (Ferrari)" featuring the Ivorian singer Shado Chris has the artist delivering the chorus in its local language. Albeit the language barrier, the melody on the chorus is captivating. Vector brags about his achievements and feats attained and employs a balanced and impressive flow.
The outro track titled "My Name" (Choral version)" was first released as a single in April. On this track, Vector switched to the choral version, where he delivered a soothing performance. Originally as an Amapiano-influenced track, Vector acknowledges the power of a supreme being who knows everything about him, including his name, even before he was created. On a solemn note, it's the best way to close an album.
This album, "Teslim: The Energy Still Lives In Me", is made for an enjoyable listening experience. Each song tells a story, and it's sequenced in a way that carries the artist's aura. The only weakness of the project is its longevity. It's a lengthy album of 16 tracks. Vector did a fantastic job on the features selections, and he tried to showcase different parts of his personality by fusing grooving Afrobeats elements and Hip Hop while delivering them in a melodious production.
He has, without doubt, balanced the sound of afrobeats with hip-hop by setting one foot in Africa and another foot for the international audience. Singles like 'Why Me', 'early mono 'Mercy', 'What's That II', 'Maradona', and 'Fefe' are mainstream worthy in that they offer an enjoyable listening experience.
Do you think Vector achieved his Magnum Opus with this album? What can you say about the length of the album's tracklist, considering that the songs are mostly hip-hop influenced? Let's know your thoughts.
SOURCE: TrendyBeatz
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