uche87:
Let's go straight to the point because I want to make this as brief as possible. The grievance between rappers Vector and M.I is actually a good thing. Nobody is pulling a gun on his rival and I believe there will be no bloodshed. Both parties are actually well-educated gentlemen. Beef is part of the rap game and nutritionists will also tell you how proteinous that can be especially in a country like Nigeria where people don’t eat a balanced diet.

Hip Hop in Nigeria is dead. It's like a forbidden genre of music right now. Ace producer Don Jazzy some years back converted his rappers like Ikechukwu, Dr Sid and D'Prince to singers because he believed it was difficult to market rap music in Nigeria. Doing dancehalls or what we call 'commercial' in our local parlance rakes in the money faster. Rapper Eedris Abdulkareem made money and became famous by apparently 'speaking in tongues' on songs and Kennis Music projected him as the best thing since sliced bread. At that point, Ruggedman did the real thing and stayed local to the doctrines of the game but failed. He spiced up his rap with a total switch from Queens English to Pidgin and then went after Eedris. He exposed his weaknesses and stole his shine. Modenine also made attempts to dethrone Ruggedman. Ruggedman was obviously inferior to Modenine lyrically so the former shifted to pop music a little bit to focus on the money. While Ruggedman enjoyed his windfall, Modenine also earned a few bucks from his sweat. Overdose, Terry Tha Rapman, Pherowshuz and iLLBliss were other players in the Hip Hop world with strong ties to Modenine.

The Hip Hop game was progressive as the casuals and hardcore rap fans knew which music artistes they had to listen to for maximum satisfaction. When M.I arrived at the music scene and dropped his debut album ‘Talk About It’ in the year 2008, he was all over the place. He corrected the lapses of Ruggedman and rapped with lines that were easily relatable. With the advent of M.I, thousands of Nigerian young ladies who never fancied Hip Hop loved his rhymes and flows that they became fans of rap music.

It would be recalled that several Nigerians felt Modenine's lines were too deep and abstract, people had to literally employ lecturers in literature to decipher them. M.I apparently had no rival; he was like a god. The late Da Grin later came on board in 2010 after being underground for a long while to tell the Nigerian story in the indigenous Yoruba language. Nobody really thought that style would work but it did. Well, he was not the pioneer of that style considering Lord of Ajasa too who was there before him. Kelly Hansome, Iceberg Slim, A-Q and other rappers wanted M.I's spot. These notable figures attacked him openly and he responded. Yes, it made the Hip Hop game so fun and brought out the best of most guys. I still listen to 'Somebody Wants To Die', Nobody Test Me, Beef by M.I and others till date. Kelly gave M.I a run for his money. It was stunning that Kelly Hansome, a natural singer could take on a rapper and give him a bloody nose. M.I's dominance birthed several rappers like Ice Prince, Jesse Jagz, Loose Kaynon, Yung6ix and other dopeheads who I can't mention due to limitations of time and space. Vector also appeared on the music scene while the show was all about the ‘short black boy from J-Town’.

Olamide later replaced Da Grin but the dude wasn't interested in being the king of rap, he just wanted to make money. He delved into singing and made an instant impact. Meanwhile, M.I also toned down his rap in his second album to make it more marketable. He was focusing on money, a step down from his 'Illegal Music mixtapes' and his first album. As Olamide soared in success, rap music was the sacrificial lamb; that genre of music was severely polluted. Olamide was interested in catchy sounds and rhythm laced with lyrical emptiness. The era of hard drugs and alcohol epidemic in Nigeria in which people don't realize what they listen to but dance helped the career of Olamide. Even Skales took to his heels and embraced singing and he got the instant results with a better life. M.I faded away gradually, even Vector and others who had better music skills couldn't hold it down for Hip Hop. M.I made a comeback track in 2017 titled; ‘You Rappers Should Fix Up Your Lives’ trying to diss all Nigerian rappers for failing to dethrone him but nobody took the bait. He was wearing a crown nobody seemed to need. Other rappers were busy trying to deal with the hard economic conditions inflicted by the new government of President Muhammadu Buhari. Only a man that has eaten will have the energy to rap in the studios. It took Cassper Nyovest of South Africa to remind Nigerians that we were now actually lagging behind in Hip Hop as he alluded to the view of M.I on the dire state of Hip Hop in Nigeria.

So, M.I dropped a few songs that didn't do quite well and the diminutive rapper went on performing old songs from his reigning days to keep body and soul together. He gave the audience the nostalgic feelings and it worked for him but he wasn't on high demand in the entertainment industry.
The long-term term beef between M.I and Vector has had a positive effect which is that it has given M.I the attention he needed to reaffirm his status as the king of rap in Africa and also revive rap music in Nigeria. He dropped his diss song titled 'The Viper' and it started trending on social media for hours. That kind of unprecedented publicity is what politicians even fail to get after paying millions of naira. He got it on a platter of gold!

Vector's other attacks on him have also gained serious traction online. I feel this is a good thing; life and providence have handed both parties second chances. M.I and Vector are off the market but they have much quality to offer the Nigerian music industry. They finally have the ears of the core rap fans and the casuals. It's time for them to feed out of it and put Nigeria on the rap map again.

Both responses have come with limited flavours and lyrical strengths. It appears Vector forced some of his rap lines to make sense. They are not coming naturally. From the look of things, Vector might be releasing his songs with a manual to help us understand them. This wasn't far from the reason why he dropped the lyrics of his song in the form of a video explaining them on M.I's birthday. I would have loved to break them down but this article might become a textbook. M.I has also confirmed my fears that he is far-spent as he left rap to focus on what Nigerian bloggers do; tell bland and unfounded stories rather than show his lyrical strengths, depth and rap skills we know his brand for. M.I also borrowed some ideas from Nollywood by dramatizing the whole thing with sounds, effects and religious practices. He needs to understand the basis of the beef. it's more about competition, not real jealousy or hatred; rap is a game of superiority. Every rapper believes he is the best just like we have in boxing too. Even the historic animosity between legendary boxers Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier later died when they both left the sporting scene. This is not personal, it's about the game and the love and language of it. Let them make history as they are at the twilight of their careers already. A last bold statement will make a difference and help inspire the younger generation.

Vector is jeering up to bomb M.I again and I hope we can see an improved version of him. I have a feeling M.I might not respond again. He has nothing to lose but much to gain. My advice is that both parties should focus more on metaphors, wordplays and other parts of lyricism as against attacking their personal lives. Let's enjoy this while they get back into the game and make final statements.

As for who is winning, the game is winning. We have all missed interesting beef in Nigeria. It has a way of bringing excitements among fans, bringing the best out of the parties involved and also boosting their careers.


Osayimwen Osahon George is a journalist and a PhD student at the University of Ibadan.

Source: https://www.tori.ng/news/131800/mi-vs-vector-beef-who-is-winning-and-losing.html

This write-up is not for children. Not for the indomie generation.

uche87:


Source: https://www.tori.ng/news/131800/mi-vs-vector-beef-who-is-winning-and-losing.html

Well done op. I really enjoyed the mode with which the points and flows were presented

We that are watching are the ones that are winning [url]Afriex.co[/url]

IamCharles123:

Why don't you call for the revolution if you some much care about the future, as not to type on nl and facebook everyday, sowore has tried, why dont you continue from where he stopped.
Mind you sowore never call for revolution but a protest tag 'revolution now'.

Please take your time and watch the video again, I could be wrong though

As for the revolution, if I was called upon to lead/participate, believe me, I can lay down my life for Nigeria, just to set things right.

sauceEEP:
Two failed rappers trying to rekindle their dead music career by stirring up a controversy all in a bid to trend and remain relevant.

Failed? Nah, M.I and Vector are one of the most successful rappers in Nigeria and Africa. Faded, maybe, failed-hell no

wack Nigerian rappers,, nasty c d best

Lenadiva:
What about Biggie

Yeah Pac and Big are right up there �

"M.I has also confirmed my fears that he is far-spent as he left rap to focus on what Nigerian bloggers do; tell bland and unfounded stories rather than show his lyrical strengths, depth and rap skills we know his brand for. M.I also borrowed some ideas from Nollywood by dramatizing the whole thing with sounds, effects and religious practices. He needs to understand the basis of the beef. it's more about competition, not real jealousy or hatred; rap is a game of superiority"..This OP was making sense but when he got to the quoted portion above he badly misfired..Don't just follow the flow do an indept analysis of the situation before coming to drop things like this..

Carlyboi:
haha you again everything bout 2pac is hardcore his style his voice his lyrics and his themes!do you even know what it means to be hard PAC was a gangster he embodied the thug life tho biggie wasn’t a soft rapper too lyrically it doesn’t come close to 2pac

Don't argue what you don't know much about .
Don't allow me to challenge you on a debate !!

Carlyboi:
haha you again everything bout 2pac is hardcore his style his voice his lyrics and his themes!do you even know what it means to be hard PAC was a gangster he embodied the thug life tho biggie wasn’t a soft rapper too lyrically it doesn’t come close to 2pac

Don't argue what you don't know much about .
Don't allow me to challenge you on a debate !!

Lenadiva:
Biggie is more of a hardcore rapper than Tupac .

uvknow nothing about hiphop hardcore

Vector only did a Freestyle. but MI took it too serious and take time to respond. MI should better go and Ask Reminisce about Vector. and also for people that don't know what Rap is. listen to every single word vector said In his Freestyle you called beef and understand clearly.

Lenadiva:
Don't argue what you don't know much about .
Don't allow me to challenge you on a debate !! Don't argue what you don't know much about .
Don't allow me to challenge you on a debate !!

I would gladly accept your challenge Lena!

M I should jus hand over to AQ to murder this vector...

He's just a noise maker

U just spoke my mind..thanks

Lenadiva:
Nigerians were angry with M.I over his comment on the xenophobic attack but Vector with no brain makes the same people loves M.I even more than before.







M.I is leading and Vector is crawling.

It's inconclusive

[quote author=viqSmallz post=82933971]
which word play? "your dumb fans are dumb sha " or "even if I cut my legs "? Mtcheeeeew abaga schooled vector Jor,even erigga has more word plays than vector. go listen to the "eriggma 2"

[quote author=spirul77 post=82938180][/quote]
I don't know if you listened to Vec before this saga. The guys good.
I have got Errigga Erigma.
My fav there is Head Pan ft Prinx

[quote author=DonBenny77 post=82935784]
you sound so pained,you are comparing vector who's biggest achievement is headies lyricist on the roll to abaga who has won multiple MTV awards and BET nominee, na wa o, vector that sings 70 percent in all his albums,na wa o, you are Compating Africa rapper number 1 to somebody that's not even among the top 5 Yoruba rappers. I pity your bitter heart.

[quote author=viqSmallz post=82938237]

there's nothing you can telle about VEC bro, been a fan since Mary Jane days which was his second official single, I'm a vector fan but abaga schooled the guy

[quote author=DesChyko post=82936321]

there's no point in abaga replying him in the first place, they are not just in same league bro, go listen to erigga's erigma 2,you will discover erigga has more punchlines than vector, If you didn't complain about J Cole's 1985 then you can't complain about this. abaga nailed the rookie like a boss.

Comment section analysis

M.I Fans: MI buried Vector

Rap fans: MI killed Vector

Vector Fans: They are both good rappers// They are both bad// That's their problem// They are there making money you people are here wasting your time


You're welcome

abaga fall my hand for replying VEC, VEC that AQ personally manhandled before.

If not for MI,i never even know that Vector dropped a diss track..Who is Vector ,?
The only vector i know is Vector quantity and Scalar quantity

NF remains my rapper of the year

kingjrofficial:
M I should jus hand over to AQ to murder this vector...

He's just a noise maker

A Q is good but he is no match for vector,this is a fact

Who can summarize please ?

Dear OP, I so much love this piece. Quite comprehensive , that's to show, you truly know the onions of rap music and Nigerian rap scene. I love the perspective who took it from
Beef in music is exciting, it brings out the best in the artistes
Both M.i and Vector are all winners. Vector won for reawakening the game with the Beef and M won for giving the fans more relatable lyrics but the biggest winner is the game as rightly pointed out by you
Let it continue

spirul77:
...

Just read the OP's piece and get everything I've been trying to tell you in the other thread o, bros.
Except you are insinuating the OP is wrong. Tell him directly. This reply was weak Q.E.D.

As for this your claim of being a VEC fan, please, stop playing yourself because nobody is buying that.
A person who is peddling rumour simply because M.I. said so is no fan of VEC's. A fan knows even when no one has says so. You don't have that privilege. You're more of an M.I. fanatic.

spirul77:

you sound so pained,you are comparing vector who's biggest achievement is headies lyricist on the roll to abaga who has won multiple MTV awards and BET nominee, na wa o, vector that sings 70 percent in all his albums,na wa o, you are Compating Africa rapper number 1 to somebody that's not even among the top 5 Yoruba rappers. I pity your bitter heart.

Downplaying VEC's lyricist on the roll award which actually rates bars and he's won this more than M.I.
Sings in 70% in his album yet...I hear this as an anthem amongst M.I. fans. Except your Maths isn't good, you can't even defend a quarter of this value.
Who made him Number 1? M.I. himself ably crowned by Flavour who knows jackshit about rap.
Who claimed VEC is Not among Top 5 Yoruba? M.I. and M.I alone. Not any notable 'unbiased' music entity but M.I.
Yet you're peddling it about like it's cast by Julius Berger.
Calling a 'fellow VEC fan' bitter heart. That shows how much you hate VEC.

Oga, just quit. You ain't no VEC fan. Just an M.I. fanatic. Be proud of the title.

DonBenny77:

MI's shit is a combined effort of his crew took him like 2 weeks to come up with. He takes time to prepare his lyrics and rhymes them luckily he blew with one whack remix he was biting other artists flow "ogbonifelili I'm chilling inside ya belly" nonsense song the popular listeners like you buy that crap but I dont feel it. he has no freestyle value as we saw on Tim Westwood, Jago did all the freestyle he was checking all through the small flows he crammed.

The only MI song I know is "Baby"

You didn’t respond to my post

I repeat post your favorite purge lyrics ...

Lemme also let you understand vector also has a crew he wasn’t in the studio alone was he?? No rapper worth his salt will just reply for the sake of replying ... you gotta drop Fire �

Also please stop acting like these fake preachers who quote parts of the Bible ... see the lyrics below :

Li[b]sten y’all, yo! Mo gbono feli feli, I’m spitting like Machiavelli
I’m always inside your telly, your lyrics are smelly-smelly
I’m chilling in Pelly Pelly, I’m chilli inside your belly
Rappers are really silly, you rappers Milli Vanilli[/b]

You a rap head but can’t undersr nursery rhymes

More like asking the question “Father or son, who’s winning?” Fathers ain’t supposed to compete with their sons, they scold, tutor and guide their paths. “There’s no contest, who is the best please?” MI! Funniest thing is, Vector is doing this to push his career, but MI is the one now making money off it. What a genius!


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27Pushing30:

I repeat post your favorite purge lyrics ...

A simple one.
Let's test your understanding.

VEC rapped if he was the only one see¡ng that sh¡t is backwards.

What did he mean?

Scale this successfully and we have enough time to pit lyrics by lyrics in VEC's 2-minute stint in The Purge against M.I's 5-minute stint in Tha Viper.