– This is not something we have done before, says a clearly impressed Leo Ajkic. He is standing alone at Sentrum Scene in Oslo, but he will soon welcome big Norwegian rap names to the stage: Lars Vaular, Girson and Mats Dawg. But the concert is not theirs. What they are about to carry out, the three rappers have hardly been able to think about. To perform Vågard’s music without Vågard. The dream of a solo record Vågard Unstad (36) was a Norwegian rapper. Perhaps not the most well-known, but he was seen as one of the biggest in Bergen rap. During the corona pandemic, he started work on a solo album together with producer David Grytten. But just before it was finished recording, Vågard died suddenly and unexpectedly. Friends and artist colleagues in Bergen were in shock and the message sent rap Norway into collective mourning. The pioneer Vågard was an important part of the Bergen hip-hop environment. – He was the first to rap in Bergen, Leo Ajkic said of Vågard after he passed away. Breakthrough Vågard discovered rap as a fourteen-year-old and quickly went by the name “Vågard Verbal.” Later he broke through with the A-team together with Girson and Store P. Here from the group’s performance at Hovefestivalen in 2012. KjuaguttenVågard was a bow corps veteran and loves his hometown Bergen. A real cow boy, according to those closest to him. “Kjuagutt” is also the title of the first single that was released from the upcoming album. A kjuagutt is a term for Bergen youth or street boys who are quick with their lines, have a strong sense of justice and a twinkle in their eye. The memorial ceremony During the jam-packed memorial ceremony at the USF Verftet in In Bergen, bow corps boys from the Mathias Battalion stood guard of honour. The ceremony took place on the same stage Vågard himself had performed on several occasions. To give Vågard a platform and an audience after his death, his widow set up a joint venture to finance the completion of the album, which was dubbed “Notorious BOOK”. Vågard had decided on the title a long time ago. A bit like a reference to the American rap legend The Notorious BIG, a bit because Bog was Vågard’s old nickname from growing up in Sandviken. The day they didn’t want to think about After half a year of mixing and mastering and finalizing the record, the calendar shows Saturday 16 September. The time has come to show off Vågard’s darling on a stage in the capital. In the back room, just before the start of the concert, there are many feelings in motion. – There are very mixed feelings. In many ways, it is far too early to do this now, says Leo Ajkic. Leo Ajkic was a close friend of Vågard. According to the plan, Ajkic was to be his manager going forward. – I have hardly thought about this day and what it will entail. The only thing I knew was that I wanted to be involved in doing this. Now that the day has come, I feel that I am not completely prepared, says Lars Vaular. – It will be nice to present the record that Vågard was so proud of. He had a lot on his mind and now he gets to say it. At the same time, this is also very difficult, says producer David Grytten. Melancholy and anticipation Minutes before Leo is to bring Lars, David and the others onto the stage, the mood among the roughly 300 audience members is characterized by the fact that what they are waiting for is both melancholy and beautiful. Nokon is here to show support. Others are here to hear a long-awaited album. But everyone has a different concert experience in store. The most eager have found their way to the fence in front of the stage. One of them is Are Gjellestad, who for the occasion has dressed in a t-shirt from the A team, the group Vågard broke through with. Are Gjellestad looked up to Vågard Unstad. – I make music myself and Vågard always took the time to listen to my music and cheer me on. Photo: Kim Erlandsen / news – It will be very special to hear the album without Vågard being here. I had expected to experience him performing his solo album himself. I’ll probably get a lump in my throat, while at the same time I’m looking forward to experiencing his talent and music, says Gjellestad. – This is not a concert we have done before When the clock strikes 00.00 a serious Leo Ajkic enters the scene. – We want to party with a dive, but it is difficult. Even on the album, Vågard raps about what he would do if he passed away. He would have liked to take off completely. Lars Vaular, Girson Diaz from the A team and Mats Lyngstad Willassen alias Mats Dawg come out on stage. All are connected to the NMG/G house, the Bergen record company and the hip-hop collective Vågard helped start it up. Producer David starts the music from the DJ table and the first notes from “Notorious BOG” spread in the hall. Lars, Girson and Mats rap on the chorus and has a few guest verses in between. Bog is responsible for the rest. – This is not a concert we have done before, so they just have to be with us. But this record hits hard so we just have to listen to it together, says Mats Dawg along the way. Solo debut 50 minutes with collective listening later. Producer David and the three rappers have presented “Notorious BOG” from end to end. Vågard has made his solo debut. According to the concert description, they should have played for an entire hour, but the musicians left the stage when the last note was played. There is no encore when the main character is not there either. But even if the stage is empty and the lights are turned on, the audience refuses to give in: “Long live Bog, long live Bog”. Mats Dawg describes the Bergen rap scene as a small, connected gang. – We were not ready for Vågard to disappear. Photo: Kim Erlandsen – This is the most special concert I have done as a musician. We are still working on adapting to the fact that he is no longer here, says Mats Dawg right after the concert. But what sensations does he feel five minutes later? Matt doesn’t know. – It doesn’t look like this is real. Now we just want to be together. Lenge leve Bog The concert is over and an audience clearly affected by the special concert experience is on its way out into the Oslo night. – It was emotional, says Erlend Vollseth. Rapper Erlend Vollseth alias Turbo thinks the music was cool, but that the concert experience was painful and special. – I am very glad I was there. Photo: Kim Erlandsen / news Emotionally can also describe the process the participating musicians have had in the time since they decided to complete Vågard’s project. – It is very special to have such a document from a friend who has passed away, said Lars Vaular before the concert. But with the very document Vågard left behind, as well as the help he has received from those who knew him, death has not been able to stop the solo career he dreamed of. The NMG/G house releases the album “Notorious BOG” on Friday 22 September.
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The Bergen rapper Vågard died last year. Now comes the solo album “Notoriske BOG” – news Culture and entertainment
