MEET THE VS CLASS FINALISTS.

World’s leading luxury cognac brand, “Hennessy” has been unrelenting in the bid to impact the Nigerian music industry.

In a note-worthy return, Hennessy Artistry 2018 kicked off mid-year with the VS Class auditions, and for the first time ever, live auditions took place across 3 cities; Abuja, Benin and Lagos. Forty (40) aspiring rappers were selected to go head to head on radio for 5 highly competitive weeks, and eventually producing 8 finalists to battle it out LIVE on the Hennessy Artistry 2018 Concert stage on the 8th of December!

We present to you the rappers that defeated the odds and made it to the finals of the 2018 VS Class: Full Effex, Gochi, Zade, Kevinword$, Barry Lane and the wildcards; OJ, Kiid Pro & Damideasy.

FullEffex (@_fulleffex_)

What is your birth name: Efe Alexander Obieroma.

What is your stage name: Full Effex

When did you start rapping: I started rapping fresh out of secondary school. University came late so… I was bored (lol)

What/Who was your inspiration (musical background): I had a lot of them but if I were to pick just one, I’d say Nas.

Who do you look up to in the Nigerian music industry: 2face, Wizkid, MI, Vector

How would you describe your rap style: My rap style is definitely NOT BASIC

Dream collaboration: I would love to work with J Cole

Which of the other finalists would you consider your biggest competition: Everyone is aiming for the top spot so, all of them qualify as threats no matter how small

Why should you win: Because I deserve it

Gochi (@Gochi94)

What is your birth name: Goodluck Chibuike Chidiebere

What is your stage name: Gochi

When did you start rapping: I started rapping in 2013

What/who was your inspiration (musical background): I was influenced by the likes of Jay Z, Nas, 2 Pac, Biggie, Old Kanye, J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar

Who do you look up to in the Nigerian music industry: M.I, Vector, Mode Nine, Terry da rapman and a host of skilled underground MCs

How would you describe your rap style: Conscious/Comic rap

Dream collaboration: I will love to work with M.I or Vector

Which of the other finalists would you consider your biggest competition: I think everybody in the finals have an equal chance of winning.

Why should you win: I have worked and I deserve a reward for it!!

Zade (@It_is_zade)

What is your birth name: Izaka Athanasius Aigbokhan

What is your stage name: Zade.

When did you start rapping: I started rapping maybe around 15 or 16.

What/Who was your inspiration (musical background): I was mostly inspired early on by Eminem, Lil Wayne and Tupac.

Who do you look up to in the Nigerian music industry: Probably no one. Maybe Mr Eazi

How would you describe your rap style: I am not sure. I suppose I will describe it as a little wordy, slightly intricate.

Dream collaboration: I will look forward to being on a song with Isaiah Rashad

Which of the other finalists would you consider your biggest competition: My biggest competition is Gochi

Why should you win: Why? Uh, I feel like I have a lot to prove, even to myself, and winning this would go a long way towards accomplishing that

Kevinwords (@Kevinwords_)

What is your birth name: Godwin Kevin Gaiya

What is your stage name: Kevinwords

When did you start rapping: I started rapping in 2006

What/Who was your inspiration (musical background): I was inspired by 2pac and Eminem

Who do you look up to in the Nigerian music industry: Femi Kuti, Vector, 2face

How would you describe your rap style: My rap style would be described as realistic art

Dream collaboration: I would love to work with Vector

Which of the other finalists would you consider your biggest competition: No one

Why should you win: Because Nigerian hip hop needs to breathe again and I believe I’ve got what it takes to resuscitate the game.

Barrylane (@therealbarrylane)

What is your birth name: Ogunlana Oluwasegun Obaro

What is your stage name: Barrylane

When did you start rapping: I started rapping when I was 12 in 2008

What/Who was your inspiration (musical background): I was inspired by MI Abaga

Who do you look up to in the Nigerian music industry: I look up to MI Abaga

How would you describe your rap style: I will describe my rap style as maestro, rhythmic and poetic.

Dream collaboration: I would love to make a track with Kendrick Lamar

Which of the other finalists would you consider your biggest competition: I would consider Zade my biggest competition.

Why should you win: Because I don’t have any other choice, loosing is not an option.

OJ (@OgaOj)

What is your birth name: Iredia Okojie

What is your stage name: Oj

When did you start rapping: I started rapping back in 2009 when I heard the song Stan by Eminem, I got intrigued and that was how it all started.

What/Who was your inspiration (musical background): My inspiration was Eminem

Who do you look up to in the Nigerian music industry: I look up to 2Baba.

How would you describe your rap style: My rap style, I’ll say an entertaining puzzle of words that brings the meaning of each other. Its unique and original too.

Dream collaboration: My dream collaboration is of course with Eminem

Which of the other finalists would you consider your biggest competition: I’ll say Zade, he is the only rapper from my city left.

Why should you win: I should win because I feel I got the rap skill and I spit the right lines to out-do my opponents.

Damideasy (@deazy002)

What is your birth name: Igun Damilola Adedeji

What is your stage name: My stage name is Damideasy

When did you start rapping: I started rapping in the year 2011

What/Who was your inspiration (musical background): My music inspiration is J.Cole and Kendrick Lamar, I also love the art of story telling

Who do you look up to in the Nigerian music industry: I look up to Vector and Olamide

How would you describe your rap style: My rap style is entertaining, very complex and yet still relatable to the average mind.

Dream collaboration: My dream collaborations are locally (Simi) Internationally (J.Cole)

Which of the other finalists would you consider your biggest competition: My biggest competition is Gochi (Dude is entertaining)

Why should you win: To be a star on the outside world requires much more than talent, I believe I have the ‘IT’ factor to make rap enjoyable in the Nigerian industry again

Kiid Pro (@nwacheto)

What is your birth name: Emmanuel Cheto

What is your stage name: Kiid Pro

When did you start rapping: My elder brother wrote a lot of verses (rap) and as a teenager I would try to flow with them, until I independently started writing my own.

What/Who was your inspiration (musical background): I was inspired by Eminem.

Who do you look up to in the Nigerian music industry: I enjoy listening to Burna Boy. There’s always something to learn.

How would you describe your rap style: My style in a word is “dynamic”. The ability to flow with whatever rhythm

Dream collaboration: I have pictured the beauty in a Kiid Pro & Hopsin (foreign) or Burna (Nigerian) collaboration

Which of the other finalists would you consider your biggest competition: My biggest competition is Zade

Why should you win: My art has steadily remained a priosrity. It has gotten my undivided attention, my dedication and passion. This will stand as a mega achievement to my dreams and music goals.

Join the conversation on social media using the #HennessyArtistry2018 and #HennessyVSClass2018