CORE BLOG MEETS... THE CYPHER KING!

So the rap cypher was hotter than anticipated as the two finalists, Rex and Hillz went head to head as only one of them could be crowned Cypher King. Very few expected Rex to come out on top (to be fair, Hillz is an intimidating MC and he was first runner up last year), but Rex came out King for the first time ever. CORE blog caught up with the rap star to have a brief chat with him.
NAME: Emecheta Marvelous Samson
STATE OF ORIGIN: Imo state.
LGA : Ehime mbano
DOB: 28th April.

CORE BLOG: Good day Rex, welcome to a chat with CORE blog.
Rex: thank you very much.
CB: so how does it feel to be the new cypher King?
Rex: I was and I am still very excited. It took hard work and commitment to get there. I was always working on myself to get better. The first cypher that was held (the CORE EPISTULA rap cypher) last year, I didn't even make it past the first round, but here we are. I am very excited.
CB: let us take you back two days before the cypher, did you think you would win?
Rex: I didn't even think I was going to register for the Cypher. I had been preparing but I was still a little bit shaky on it. But O. O Kings motivated me to register, and on that day, like ten minutes to the cypher itself, I registered. So i wasn't even thinking of winning. Just registering first.
CB: you didn't make it past the first round last year. How did you feel when you were up against Hillz in the finals knowing that he was first runner up last year?
Rex: Hillz is my close friend. I have heard him rap a lot of times so I knew he was going to be a very very big threat. He is a very good igbo rapper and you will notice that this is an igbo environment and people here would appreciate igbo raps. So it was a huge challenge for me.

CB: the final rap before the judgement, there was this igbo beat the DJ played. Hillz is an igbo rapper. What came up in your mind?
Rex: truth is, I expected Hillz to kill it and he did to be frank. The beat kind of suits his style more. But on the other hand, I have scored that exact beat before and was even planning to record a cover on the beat. I was happy when I heard the beat but at the same time threatened because an igbo MC will always kill the beat, no matter what you do In English, the igbo rapper gets it.
CB: So who are your rap mentors?
Rex: In school, I will say ILY. There's this poetry he does with rap and that's his strength. And the fact he does it with the word of God is incredible. It's a beautiful combination, the poetry, the metaphors, the flow is awesome. Outside here, I admire Bizzle. I used to have his album back then and he's a very good gospel MC. You know the circular world believes that's where you find top rappers, but Bizzle is on a level of his own.
CB: so when did you start rapping?
Rex: that was in my SS2 in secondary school. I was in a group then and we used to try to kill beats then. So that was about four, five years ago.
CB: so Rex, you were into circular Rap before...
Rex: I used to free style on circular rap. But I have never dropped a circular song before.
CB: so Gospel was always the plan?
Rex: Erm... I was challenged by ILY. He would always say, 'circular is easy, try gospel.' and to be sincere, when I write circular stuffs,  it's very easy to come up with punchlines that would wow crowd. But with gospel,  you have to be with the word of God and this makes your punchlines a lot more difficult to create.

CB: As the champion, you are not supposed to compete in the next cypher competition. So who will you tip to be the next cypher King?
Rex: the one and only Hillz. He is a very wonderful MC. Although, he might feel he doesn't want to compete again, but if he does, the crown isn't going past him again. No body will be able to stop him.
CB: What do you think would have been your fate is former champion IX had competed?
Rex: IX is a brilliant rapper. A very fast one with a wonderful flow. But as a rapper you don't have to be threatened by anyone even though you know someone can challenge you. IX might be good in scripting, but he might not be very good in freestyle and going through the battle Hillz and I went through.
CB: Do you see yourself rapping in future?
Rex : Yes. I always admire rapping and I want to take it to the next level but it's kind of difficult combining it with education. But if I was to choose, it will definitely be rap.

CB: so Rex, how often do you read the Bible?
Rex: Every morning. But sometimes I kind of get lazy and forget (laughs). But most mornings, I study my Bible and pray.
CB: Your favorite Bible passages?
Rex: psalms 91 v 5 and Proverbs 1 v 10.
CB: What do you have to say about CORE?
Rex: Before this cypher, I have never really visited CORE but I have been hearing so much about Chapel of Restoration. But I visited last Sunday and it was a wonderful experience. CORE is a nice place for the youths because it gives people like us a platform to showcase our talents. No other body does it like CORE in the aspect of talent display.
CB: what's your view on relationships on campus?
Rex: I think it isn't compulsory to have a female companion.
CB: Do you have any?
Rex: At the moment, no. I do have female friends, but when it comes to dating, not at the moment.
CB: So what inspired you to come up with that name REX?
Rex: 'Rex' is Greek. It means King. I saw a movie and the name came up. Did a little research and found out it meant King. And since I believe I am a king in anything I do, I decided to adopt it.
CB: so how many are you guys in the family?
Rex: we are three. I am the only son with two younger sisters.
CB: Where are you based?
Rex: Uyo. Akwa Ibom state.
CB: How many Nigerian languages can you speak?
Rex: I can speak one very well. I understand igbo, but speaking it has been a problem.
CB: so how do you handle your academics, knowing you combine it with rap?
Rex: it's conflicting. Because sometimes I might be reading and a punchline will just pop up and I have to write it down. It just becomes a distraction sometimes. So I decided to give a break to rap after the cypher. It will be difficult though, but it's a sacrifice I have to make.
CB: Rex it has been a lovely time with you. Like I said, this is CORE BLOG and I am Emmanuel (Ya! He had to announce himself 😕). Thanks for showing up for the chat.
Rex: You are welcome.

Spot baby Rex. Clue: he looks very goofy.