There is now a splicing action to complete the debut album by rapper Vågard Unstad, who died far too soon at the age of 36.
This is how colleagues and outcasts want to give his music a platform and an audience after his death. Unstad was working on his first solo album, “Notorious BOOK”, when he died.
The action that will complete the record has already brought in more than NOK 200,000, 42 days before its end. The target was NOK 111,111.
Unstad manager Leo Ajkic says it’s about more than music.
– It is important to honor Vågard. It’s a project he was working on that was almost done. It lacked a few choruses, a few verses, transitions, guest artists. It needs to be completed in the same style Vågard started with, Ajkic tells NRK.
Tragedy brought the gang together
GANG: Leo Ajkic was the manager of Vågard Unstad. He says it hurts to lose his friend. But the tragedy brought the survivors together.
Photo: Daniel Volle/Daniel Volle/Pandora Film/NRK
He insists that the cover and most of the songs are already finished.
– The album has a common thread and an overall sound image. You feel you get to know Vågard better when you hear it.
Unstad was considered a pioneer of the Bergen hip-hop scene, of which he has been a part since his teenage years. A collective Norwegian music community is in mourning following news of the death.
Musikkrommet program manager Sandeep Singh highlights Unstad’s importance in Norwegian hip-hop.
– Vågard was a pioneer. Few people involved in rap were listening to melodic, dark, Southern rap when it first appeared. But he cracked the code to make Norwegian rap music melodious, Singh tells NRK.
It is the widow Ida Unstad who invited to the serviceas BA first said.
CONCERT: Vågard Unstad was popular behind bars and on stage. Here he performs at the G-Fest in Bergen in 2018.
Photo: Gonzales Photo/Jarle H. Moe / Gonzales Photo
Excellent value
The money almost poured in after the team came out and asked for contributions.
– We greatly appreciate all funds. The fact that people support the joint and contribute means that we get opportunities. We can make music videos and other exciting things. We can move and release the album in Vågard, says Ajkic.
The money means Ajkic and the gang can not only finish the record, but also get guest appearances from some of Unstad’s favorite rappers.
– Gucci Mane is expensive, so you have to have funds, says Ajkic.
If there are more left, the plan is to find a good cause that Vågard would like to support.
Ajkic says it’s a demanding job to do. But that you can also feel hope and community.
– This process was certainly difficult, experiencing what happened with Vågard. But it brought the gang together. We know he wanted to release the album. And the tragedy brought people together.
