By Ayo Onikoyi

Rising Nigerian rapper, Chekwube Ochokwu, popularly known as Vato, has revealed that his stage name was inspired by the popular movie Blood In Blood Out.

The rapper, who is gradually gaining recognition in the music industry, disclosed this during a recent interview with a music critic while speaking on the origin of his name and his approach to rap music.

According to him, the name “Vato” came from a childhood experience he shared with his brothers after watching the movie.

“I got the name from the movie Blood In Blood Out. I watched it with my brothers when we were younger and we were so excited afterwards that we started calling each other ‘Vato’, which means ‘guy’ or ‘dude’. The full phrase ‘Vato Loco’ is Mexican-American slang that translates to ‘crazy guy’. When I began my career journey, I adopted the name because it represents the energy, brotherhood and bold spirit that stayed with me,” he said.
Vato began his journey in the entertainment industry in 2017, initially not as a recording artiste but as a television presenter and producer.
As part of efforts to establish himself in the media space, he created and hosted Vato’s Rap Battle (VRB), a competitive rap platform where rappers showcased their lyrical skills, rhymes and performance abilities in head-to-head contests.
The platform gained notable attention and recorded a milestone by hosting what was described as the longest streaming freestyle rap battle in Nigeria.
At the event, rapper Kevin Words emerged winner after delivering a non-stop freestyle performance lasting four hours and 18 minutes. The battle was streamed live and attracted coverage from major Nigerian media organisations including Silverbird Television (STV), Channels Television, Galaxy Television and HipTV.
The show also featured guest appearances from notable Nigerian artistes such as Dremo and DJ Switch.
After establishing himself behind the scenes, Vato eventually transitioned into recording music. In 2022, he released his debut single titled Free, marking the beginning of his professional music career.
Since then, he has collaborated with several Nigerian and United Kingdom-based artistes as he continues to expand his reach across both markets.
In 2026, the rapper began the year with the release of a new single titled Man in the Mirror, which has been gaining attention and helping to strengthen his presence in the competitive music industry.
Speaking on his musical style, Vato said he grew up listening to rap music and remains drawn to sounds that carry strong rhythm and unique vibes.
“I create rap music infused with elements of soul and rhythm. My lyrics focus on self-expression and spreading positivity, aiming to connect with listeners in an authentic and meaningful way,” he said.
The rapper also noted that his long-term goal is to use music as a tool for inspiration and positive social impact.
“I want to refine my sound, expand my catalogue and build a strong and authentic brand that connects with people across different cultures. With consistency, hard work and collaborations, I believe my music can reach audiences beyond my immediate environment,” he added.
Vato said he also hopes his lyrics will continue to promote messages of hope, resilience, self-belief and personal growth.
Originally from Anambra State, Vato was born and raised in Nigeria but is currently based in the United Kingdom.
Despite his career in music, he holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy and later pursued further studies in the United Kingdom where he obtained a Master’s degree in Producing for Film and Television.
With a growing catalogue of songs and increasing visibility, the rapper is gradually carving a niche for himself as one of the emerging voices in Nigeria’s rap music scene.