Following his Apple Music Rap/Hip-Hop Album chart-topping project Vibes Before Teslim, which he released in 2019 as a precursor to this album, and on the back of the success of its lead singles ‘Early Momo’ and ‘Mama Maradona’, which have amassed over 15 million plays online, Nigerian rap icon VECTOR is excited to release his brand new album TESLIM: The Energy Still Lives In Me. Named after his late father as a dedication to his teachings and philosophy on life, TESLIM is also an acronym for ‘The Energy Still Lives In Me’, which speaks to how his father is still living through Vector today.

Largely produced by Grammy Award-nominated producer and Burna Boy collaborator Mr Kleb, with additional production from the likes of Grammy winner Kel-P (Wizkid, Future, Adekunle Gold), Cracker Mello (Fireboy DML, Amaarae, D’Banj), and Major Bangz (Phyno, Olamide, M.I Abaga), with guest appearances with some of Africa’s finest artists including Wande Coal, Nasty C, Seun Kuti, Ladipoe, and GoodGirl LA, Vector’s TESLIM album is the culmination of a journey of rediscovery and realignment that has been five years in the making, sparked by the death of his father in 2017.

Self-described as “music according to my life’s truth and story”, TESLIM sees Vector pondering fatherhood, relationships, politics, and his country, among other things. On ‘Teslim Introduction’, he looks to shatter industry norms, while he talks to his daughter on ‘I Need You’, and on ‘You Don’t Know’, he implores listeners to understand their worth. Vector pays homage to his father on ‘Mercy’, and he flexes his lyrical prowess on ‘Clowns’ and ‘What’s That II’, while ‘My Name’ sees him in a confident assured mood to close out the album. Throughout the 16-track affair, Vector stands tall on TESLIM with impeccable lyricism, captivating songwriting, and majestic musicianship.

Speaking about the inspiration behind his TESLIM album, Vector says, “I thought I had an idea of what my album was going to be, then suddenly your dad passes, and you then start to understand that life is vain, you start to re-evaluate and rediscover the meaning of the things you do. I started to re-evaluate what I wanted my music to be like, what I wanted the message to carry, and how I wanted my music [to be]. I was also considering things – if life is a fleeting thing that we all can't hold on to, how then is it easy for us to be distracted by things that we really don't care about?”

Vector sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions:

1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?

Growing up on music my parents played, and joining the church choir as a teenager.

2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?

As of today, my influence is simply music and as for features, I’m usually just open to great music collaborations for the sake of music.

3. You just dropped your 'TESLIM' album, can you tell us how this project came about?

The project came about from the moment I thought up the acronym 'The Energy Still Lives in Me' right at my Dad’s funeral. That one event led to the decision to name the album after him.

4. How would you describe your sound?

My sound is life.

5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?

Every step and growth so far.

6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?

Stay in your truth or madness.

7. Are there any artists on your radar right now that we should check out?

I would say PDSTRN from Hennessy Artistry VS class of 2022 and Therealbarylane from Hennessy Artistry VS class of 2018.

8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?

I'm not really listening to music currently.

9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?

I recently just established my own radio network called Lafiaji Radio, which debuted my first podcast show titled 'The African Mind'.

10. Name three things you can't live without when in the studio?

My microphone, my computer, and my KRK and JBL speakers.