The Vector vs MI Abaga beef was one of the most talked about topics in the Nigerian music scene in 2019. It brought about some kind of rap music awakening in the whole industry as the two veterans went at each other's throat in quite destructive fashion. Both rappers are hugely talented with about 13 projects between them at the time of the beef in 2019.
There had always been perceived tension between the two rappers, as it seemed there was underground bad blood between the two of them. It could be said that M.I is the most successful between the two and even in Nigeria in general. But one thing about beef and diss tracks is that success doesn't matter. What matters is the amount of dirt you have on your opponent and your ability to deliver them perfectly.
The whole issue started in January 2019 when on Martell Cypher 1 which also featured A-Q, Loose Kaynon and Blaqbonez, M I closed the track with the words
“Don’t do cyphers with brands that won’t pay you, come to us instead”, this was right after he said “To the other cognac, this is how to spend your budget”
Originally post on YouTube by Chocolate City Music
The other cognac here being Hennessy where Vector is the headliner. It was no surprise that he felt attacked, and took it as M was making a shade at him. In August 2019 on the Hennessy Cypher which also had Ycee and Ice Prince, Vector threw his own subs at M.I rapping
“The whole world has heard you subbing me in some other ways, but we all know you shading me won’t keep your sun away”
Though things were still low key, it was still a clear reply to MI's words on the first Cypher to those who understood the message. A month later and the Martell Cypher 2 dropped and here MI went all out calling for war as he called out
“So y’all got paid to cypher here and We don’t get any appreciation? Well let’s call it charity, a poverty alleviation. And y’all economists? ’cause it was like an economic forum Or like an oil drill drilling my nigga, that shit was boring”
“Hi hater, yes, I heard you talking, I’m Big Brother I’m always watching/Let’s discuss your options, Shut the fuck up or let’s get to boxing/Anybody close to dude better stop him, Or tell him to get a coffin..... Dah homie just drop your joint like you missing a kneecap/Leave me alone or speak up I know you fake, you like Bobrisky’s D-Cup”
Originally posted on YouTube by MI Abaga
It was now a declaration of war and the battle line had been drawn. Vector known to be one never to back down came with the smoke as he enlisted the help of Vader and Payper Corleone on the track "The Purge". Built for battle raps and being a spectacular wordsmith and punchline king, Vector didn't hold back as he went hard at MI and filled his lungs with smoke.
“African Rapper Number One My Ass, Boy The Flavour Left. I Don’t Care If You Respect Me, Just Don’t Play Yourself, You Made A Cypher, But My Name Started Trending/I Retweeted Then Your Claims Started Bending (laughs). Forget The Hard Talk Everybody Knows You Soft....... “For You, You Think It’s Boxing, For Me I’m Playing Football, and How Are You A Beast When You’re The Size Of A Chihuahua, I’m King Kong In The City, E Ma Riwa Te Ba Wawa..... “You Told Me Drop A Joint, What’s The Point? If I Cut My Legs Off, You Still Wouldn’t Reach The Point.. Where My Head Is... “You Rep Another But You Still Take Henny Shots, You’re Desperate Taking Any Shots Sit Down”
Originally posted on YouTube by Vector
It was heavy and direct and required something really special from MI for him to recover from this. Vector then dropped Tetracycline taking swipes at MI. Then MI responded with his own diss track titled "The Viper". And if Vector brought smoke on Purge, M brought fire on the viper. It was a clear and undeniable knockout from MI.
“So all these years, you ain’t helped one person. You ain’t put one person on, you ain’t sign nobody. There’s no manager, no artist, no fashion designer, Nobody connected to you doing well. It’s cause your heart is fucking bitter.... I know your fans are gonna demand that you revenge, but will they crowdfund for you, when It’s time to pay your rent? I’m willing and able, I’ll put 20 million on the table, that’s budget for you to spend and CC will float your label, Just swallow your pride, let me show you how to be king”
Originally posted on YouTube by MI Abaga
He belittled Vector, giving him a father to son vibe and even mocking his future by playing a grandfather scenario with Vector's unborn children. It was dope, technical and very much MI style of not following other people's ways, but crafting his own path and style.
He refused to go the vector way of direct punchlines and battle style, but went with a perfectly crafted beat, story telling style, blended with witty lines. He simply played God, grandfather, father, big brother and friend in Vector's life in just about 4 minutes of wax. All these perfectly done and delivered. Few days later he was on the stage at Big Brother Naija performing with shirt tags "No Snakes" and virtual effects showing him trampling on a snake's head.
With any other rapper, there would be no coming back, but you can never say never with Vector, and he did reply a few days later with Judas the Rat where he used MI's brother Jesse Jagz as a template.
“You call yourself a teacher but your students failed in real life”/“Your brother was such a gift you wrapped away from the light, I mean you claim helping people who are struggling to make it. Hmm, well Jesse is struggling to make it. You dey Lagos, you dey floss, Chairman sir, you na boss, but your brother went from Lagos to Ondo then to Jos”
“Choc City went down from all that fuckboy antics, the last I checked, Jesse was in a Choc Boy mansion. But since your Big Brother evicting him is part of the game.... And now you tryna be my father, LOL that’s what he said [Laughs], I’m sure everybody knows my father is dead. I mean, your father raised you in the name of the Lord, but we never see you acting in the name of the Lord....
“Let’s talk about CC (CeeCee), not your BB (Big Brother)guest/Let’s talk a little bit about your CC mess/You did your Emperor crazy, one of CC’s best/Then Brymo’s exit ushered in the CC stress/I mean Dice could really rap, he had your CC crest/And many artists don fall sha, off your CC steps/CC was in the room, we guess CC left/Even the lounge can testify, it reads CCX”
Originally posted on YouTube by Vector
This was the last straw, it was heavy, with a lot of dirt spilled. He hit MI where it would hurt most, from family to friends, and even his relationship, and then showed a bit of higher understanding by describing his success based on the intangibles instead of the picture painted by MI on the viper.
The biggest problem with the Vector reply is that he fell into the trap of trying to emulate MI's storytelling style which isn't his forte. He had enough dirt to bury MI but the delivery just wasn't right and the beat was too light.
Verdict
This was a very interesting and close shave between two of Africa's best rappers. It was intense and exhilarating. Personally I'd say it was a close call. That it took Vector 3 tracks to get close to winning the beef compared to MI's one track shows how heavy "The Viper" track was. And as much as he hit back, the delivery let him down a bit. So I'd give it to M.I. I'd say he won this beef, both on wax and economically. M.I dissed it better!
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