Odumodublvck: the rising Nigerian artist fusing Afrobeats and drill

“I wear the Okpu Agu hat because when you see me, I want you to know where I’m from; I don’t have to introduce myself,” Odumodublvck says as the sun beams down on his cap. He carries it like a crown of Nigerian history, embroidery woven from the threads of his ancestors. “If you don’t know me, you would ask, ‘Why am I always wearing this cap? What’s it about?’ I decided to wear it because I see the industry as a jungle, so I must always wear my warrior’s hat to take on whatever obstacle comes my way.”

Igbo people regard the hat as a symbol of bravery and just as a warrior endures challenges, Odumodublvck wrestles with the complexities of society, life and the self through his music – and over the past year, he has climbed to notoriety through unapologetically fusing Pidgin English with a blend of Afrobeats, drill and grime, journeying on with both harmony and hustle.

In 2022, a seismic shift altered his trajectory for the better when he signed a record deal with Native Records in partnership with Def Jam. It was then that the stage was set for Odumodublvck, where he leveraged his opportunity to strive. He unleashed his chart-bustling song “Picanto” into the world, collaborating with Zlatan and Eckno Miles, ascending to number 65 on the Nigeria Top 100 – his first-ever chart entry. It was a victorious start, but only the beginning for Odumodublvck.

“Picanto was my first car, but a big man like me, how can I drive a Picanto? But we’re humble, it’s OK. I want to manifest a Tesla in my life,” he confesses at his Mixtape release party at Tape nightclub in Mayfair the week of its release. “Come next year, that marketing budget will include Tesla. No more Picanto.” The rollout of his latest Mixtape, EZIOKWU, brings him closer to his dreams with standout features from Fireboy DML, Cruel Santino, Amaarae, and more. He is a modern testament to what hard work and persistence can yield in pursuing a music career. As the sound of Nigeria continues to grow and evolve, Odumodublvck’s artistry has many people’s eyes watching. 

We chatted with Odumodublvck about living in Abuja state, his latest project Eziokwu, what conspiracy theory he believes in and his nemesis.

You were born in Lagos state and then relocated to Abuja with your family when you were seven. How have these two environments contributed to your identity in different ways?

Odumodublvck: Moving gives me a better chance. When you’re staying somewhere, and you go somewhere else, it would either break you or make you. My experience as a child in Lagos City: I stayed there for seven years; a seven-year-old child is like the mind of a 13-year-old Abuja child because Lagos is fast. So that energy, I took it to Abuja, and I was a bit faster. 

Where did your stage name originate from?

Odumodublvck: In a village in Nigeria, I’m an Igbo boy. There’s a masquerade called Odumodu, so one day in boarding school, I went to scare someone while they were sleeping, and they were like, ‘Oh my God. You are like Odumodu.’ I was like, ’Don’t call me that,’ but everyone started calling me that. When I first started making music, my first name was T Flows, and it was a whack name with no personality, no story. I told my guys that I’d use Odumodublvck as my music name. I never released any song under the name of T Flows. I was so lucky. When I told my guys, they started laughing, and I knew that would be the name.

Your latest project, Eziokwu, draws upon elements of your heritage and culture. Can you discuss some cultural references and influences explored in the project?

Odumodublvck: I recorded Kubolor in Ghana, and when I was small, my dad used to play Ghanaian Highlife a lot. When I was in Ghana, I was like, ‘I need to jump on that bounce.’ So, like when I heard the beat, I told my producer this is it. That’s one aspect of the heritage I’m leaving from Ghana, but it’s their heritage; I could milk it because, in my childhood, I had experienced Ghanaian Highlife. I didn’t know who sang the song, but I knew that when we were taking the six-hour drive with my dad, that’s Ghanaian heritage.

You attended Christ the King College at Gwagwalada Abuja. Are you religious? How integral is faith to you and your artistic process?

Odumodublvck: I feel the Spirit of God in my actions is unstoppable. It’s not even up to me because many people’s destinies depend on me and my success; many families have been liberated financially. It’s that God-like faith I used to carry myself everywhere and all the music I make.

Why did you name the project Eziokwu?

Odumodublvck: Many musicians say, ‘My music is different,’ but is it different? My mixtape is the first time in the history of Nigerian music that an album has come in this form. It has highlife, Afrobeat, Afro-fusion, it has real hip-hop, and it has drill. I did this from scratch; it’s me saying that ‘it’s me, I’m the truth.’

Fireboy DML is featured on the project. How did the creative collaboration come about?

Odumodublvck: He’s a great guy. I didn’t pay him for that verse; he just called me and said, ‘Are you in Lagos? I’m coming.’ We made three songs that day, and it was seamless because God said it was time. Not one of the collaborations on the tape was forced. I wanted it to be honest.

Do you have any dream collaborators?

Odumodublvck: Skepta and Kendrick Lamar. Skepta is my oga in Nigeria, which means my boss.

What’s your ghost outfit?

Odumodublvck: I can’t hide in Nigeria; wherever I go, they’ll know it’s me. But I’ll say a black hoodie.

What’s your star sign, and are you a typical one of that star sign?

Odumodublvck: According to star signs, I’m a Libra, but I don’t believe in all that.

What conspiracy theory are you into?

Odumodublvck: I believe aliens are here, and that’s why they are making movies that involve robots because robots are the only ones that can fight aliens without losing our lives. Robots would start serving us instead of ordinary human beings.

What’s your favourite snack?

Odumodublvck: Bread and tea.

What’s the last text you sent?

Odumodublvck: My last text message was, ‘Sorry, I got distracted. Can you come? Your line is not going through.’

Do you have any recurring dreams?

Odumodublvck: I’ve seen Burna Boy twice in my dream and my father plenty of times in my dream.

What’s your earliest music memory?

Odumodublvck: My brother used to have a deck in the room on Thursday morning when cleaning the house and would play music throughout the house.

Who is your nemesis?

Odumodublvck: Myself. Right now, I’m the only person that can stop me. Every day, I pray to God to have mercy on me.

Eziokwu is out now.