ALBUM REVIEW: VECTOR – THE SECOND COMING

Artiste – Vector

Album: The Second Coming

Features – Muno, Mavado, Sound Sultan, Jazzy, Mode 9, Shank, Emmsong, Bad Man Floss, Rocksteady & 9ice

Producers – Tryone, Del B, Tee Y Mix, Da Piano, LiciousCrackitt, DASECA Productions, SAGZY Productions, DollaShogon & Mr Smith

Label – YSG Entertainment (2012)

Awarding winning rapper and YSG recording artiste Vector has released his sopohmore album titled ‘The Second Coming’. The tall rapper is known for his lyrical abilities and has being dubbed the wordplay king by many yet two LPs can be harvested from his second coming which boasts a guest appearance from international dancehall artiste Mavado, Shank, Sound Sultan coupled with quite a number of relatively unknown names and production credits from masters in that field. Despite its shortcoming, some roses in the bunch still blossoms check out our track to track review;

Intro – 1972
Although he has been described as the Jay-Z of these shores, Mr Vector successfully jacks the Drake flow on ‘Intro – 1972’ making one question his originality. Olanrewaju talks about his growth and the ups and downs of his hustle in a moody way.

Jawonle (feat. Muno)
One of the numerous up-tempo dance cuts on album is ‘Jawonle’, with the hook provided by the creamy voiced Muno. Vector and his assistant preach about haters trying to keep up.

Born Leader (feat. Mavado)
Vector crossed the Atlantic to pick Jamaican recording artiste Mavado hence rap collides with ragga for the club banger ‘Born Leader’. ‘Expectations should not be high because this up-tempo is like an appetizer still Mavado’s signature patios style and Vector’s book of rhymes comes in handy.

We Made Oh
Ever doubted the genius called Del B? We Made Oh might change your mind as the Del B produced number is arguably the STRONGEST song in the bunch. The rich drums led instrumentation and hook laced by the producer himself coupled withVector’s unpredictable delivery and brilliant lines makes this number one that packs the punch. Why it was not given the video treatment baffles us nonetheless tell the DJ to put this on instant replay.

Hussle (feat. Sound Sultan)
A ninja pops up on the fifth track and the mood of the album takes a negative drastic U-turn from the up-tempo to the mellow alternative ‘Hussle’. Another stand-out in the bunch and a potential hustler’s anthem is the Mr. Smith produced track; blessed by soothing background vocals from Naija Ninja’s Yung-racey, the duo urges us to keep at the hustle and it will soon pay off.

Don’t Envy Me (feat. Rocksteady)
Everyone complains that the boredom and monotone kicks in at the sixth track, well Hypertek Records artiste Rocksteady features on ‘Don’t Envy Me’. Hypertek dishes a bit of ragga while Vector dishes bars about envy and jealous.

Shaye
‘Shaye’ is bound leave you confused and it is not the beat or the message of publication it carries but the arrangement, melody, rhythm lies all over the place like a 7 year old untidy bedroom. Simply put, this is one album-filler gone wrong.

I Like Girls
Vector employsDel B to help save the day with his amazing production skills on another dance cut tilted ‘I Like Girls’. Apparently Vector loves girls and makes it known while making you dance, killing two birds with one stone. Lanre deserves call the praise he gets if not for anything but the chorus.

You Bad
We still do not know why this track was not axed, apparently as the name implies it is not a good song.

Follow Me Dey Go
Vector tries to show his versatility on a ragga instrumentation from Da Piano but fails to leave an impression.

Na You (feat. Muno)
Aimed at pleasing the eastern market is the Muno assisted ‘Na You’. Tee Y Mix provides a mid-tempo beat while Muno once again laces his creamy voice on the track. He impressed us but we feel Muno’s second appearance on this album is totally unnecessary and makes the track fail to hit the bull’s eye; the rapper’s camp could have replaced him with a more prominent eastern singer or any singer for that matter.

Munge Sheka
The northerners are not left out as ‘Munge Sheka’ follows. Check out the viper as the reptile spits in Hausa and English on the Tee Y Mix produced environment hoping to win that geographical region over.

Alone (feat. Emmsong)
Easily forgettable and apparently lonely is ‘Alone’. Arguably a sequel to ‘Kilode (SOS)’, Emmsong lends his soulful voice as he sings “to win, I may have to lose’. Vector once again drops bars about personal issues in his played out delivery.

V9 Cypha (feat. Mode 9)
V9 Chypha’. V for Vector, 9 for Mode 9. There is an ancient proverb which says when two elephant fights; the ground suffers, here the head bumping Hip Hop beat suffers as the rap titans wage war.

Se Won Fe Ku
Classic hip hop, Vector reminds us why he is likened to Jay-Z on this track with makes a commendable change as the stadium sound inspired chorus kicks in. Solid rap joint might be tagged as boring by ‘some’.

Onyeolu (feat. Bad Man Floss)
Another eastern inspired album-filler that fails to tease the auditory system.

Fear No Evil
Fear no evil but fear the length of this album because at this point you will realize that this LP is long and tiring. ‘Fear No Evil’ is another un-daring mid-tempo track which makes chessy lines which you might have ignored earlier more glaring.

Amen (feat. Jazzy)
Another highlight of the album is anthemic and inspiring ‘Amen’. The Jazzy assisted song will stirs emotions as Vectors shows a different side as he prays and while Jazzy re-sounds the ‘Amen’. ‘Producer Licious is to be praised for’ the piano and kicks dominated instrumentation which sounds like something you will find in Drake’s ‘Take Care’ nonetheless Amen spices the second coming of Vector up, it might even when take you to church for a bit.

Angeli (feat. 9ice)
Hit single ‘Angeli’ featuring 9ice is listed as the 19th track. We are all familiar with the Afro-Pop rap/sung number which shows Vector bring his A-game as he rides the Sagzy’ engineered production with stellar delivery and credible rhymes which have become household items and 9ice doing his thing.

Skit
This skit is something. Seyi Shay layering her sultry backing vocals and harmonies reminiscent to Brandy with makes up the beat in this case and Vectors lets out steams and hints a party track as a follow up.

Rora (feat. Shank)
Crafted to meet the need of club disc jockeys. Shank brings his ragga and dancehall style to the table while Vector shines again with his wordplay. Serious party starter here.

Outro – Wa Sere
Finally, the end is here. Vector closes the show with story about his rough childhood showing a delicate side; finally no matter where you are now, never forget where you are coming from. Good Night!

Generally ‘The Second Coming’ feels like ‘The Hobbit’ if you have not seen any of the ‘Lord of the Rings’ movies and have never heard of the name ‘J. R. R. Tolkien.

Reviewed by Ogaga Sakpaide [ @Ogagus_ ]