#RiversStateMusicGuild: Vic The Wordsmith Has Found His Favorite Mode Of Expression He can't do without.

I see myself as an active participant in the growing creative economy in Nigeria and Africa at large...

The first time I watched Victory Oghale Okurakpo popularly known as V.I.C The Wordsmith perform, was at the first anniversary of the “Listening Party” which holds every last Wednesday of the month at D’Luxe by Tombia GRA. Port Harcourt. He is called the ‘Wordsmith’ for reasons which include his spontaneous ability in telling understandable stories with eloquent use of words, the brilliance in his wordplay is often dished out with fascinating rhymes, it is brazen and excellent. He thrilled the audience at the Listening Party.

However, I met up with V.I.C The Wordsmith a few days ago for this interview, and we spent some time in his car discussing and left to wrap it up at a restaurant close by, it was a warm evening in the streets of D-line, Port Harcourt. ‘The Wordsmith’, for Victory means that he should not be boxed as just a rapper or poet or spoken word artist, as his style allows him a unique fluidity of expression with profound articulation in storytelling. According to him, “Music is personal to me, it is my favourite mode of expression.”

When he talks, I sense honesty and royalty which startles and fumed inside the dark air-conditioned car we sat in. That evening he shared the responsibility of being the eldest amongst five younger siblings and one whose father expects a whole lot more than a music career from but he insists, “music chose me, I didn't choose it.” Vic The Wordsmith has been writing music for the past 15years. He has been rapping since he was age 15 and took piano lessons at age 6, while in Primary school as he took some minutes to reflect.

Born and raised in Port Harcourt, an Information Systems Graduate from the American University of Nigeria. “During my 15th birthday in SS3, a friend got me Lil Wayne’s Carter II and it was when the influence hugely began for me. The same year, I listened more to Eminem and his ‘Mocking Bird’ which was the first song I could rap word for word.” He explained with excitement and gestures. “I took Eminem as an idol at the time not until now that I revere him so much. I love Lil Wayne also. It was a few months after my birthday that I had my first verse, that same year.”

Vic’s musical influences range around Hip-hop elites, the likes of Eminem, J.Cole, Lil Wayne, Kendrick Lamar, Ludacris, Jay Z, Drake, Ryan Leslie, Kanye West and more. In 2008, he recorded a tribute song for his late Mom while studying in the UK which got his talents noticed by his Dad through the feedback of mutual acquaintances, having shared it via Facebook at the time. However, since the art chose him, he believes there is a genuine purpose behind it. “In 2010, I heard J.Cole for the first time when I was in the University, honestly, that was a Saturday and I didn't go to church the following day. J. Cole was so relateable and up till now he is my strongest influence.” Vic The Wordsmith gushed his thought out while we sat opposite each other at the Restaurant that evening.

He officially released his debut 6-track project titled — “Trance EP” earlier this year and he affirms that for a long time now he has tried staying away from the music yet it has not been working. While he took the Listening Party as a golden opportunity to have begun this journey, he believes in every possibility the journey could unfold. Meanwhile, he calls ‘Trance EP’ a very personal and vulnerable project.

In his words, “I’m an introspective introvert, and for me, the Trance EP gives people an exclusive access into my thoughts addressing issues like self-doubts, heartbreak, love, intimacy, depression, and the overall pressures of trying to fit into expectations.” He broke down and further said “at the time I made Trance EP, I was in a trance”, He said genuinely.
“Carried Away,” one of the singles off Trance EP, was inspired by J.Cole’s “Dreams” off his “Warm Up” mixtape. He stated.

While he sees himself putting all the effort needed to go onto the next level, he comes across as not particularly keen on a music career in the meantime. “I see myself as an active participant in the growing creative economy in Nigeria and Africa at large.” Also, music being his favourite mode of expression, he is more concerned with ownership as he puts necessary structures in place to ensure he is adequately rewarded for his work. Vic The Wordsmith would love to work with Tems, Ladipoe, Kendrick Lamar, J.Cole, Ryan Leslie, Show Dem Camp, M.I, and more. He is also a firm believer of the #WeRiseByLiftingOthers tag by the popular Nigerian pop star — Davido.

Stream Vic The Wordsmith’s EP on Spotify music below

Follow him on the socials below

Instagram @victhewordsmith
Twitter @victhewordsmith
Facebook @victhewordsmith