Before Odumodublvck hit the limelight in 2022 following the release of his debut single under Native Records, the 30-year-old Hip Hop artist and rapper had set a 5-year goal in 2016 to be a vanguard, infiltrating Afrobeats’ scenery with his eccentric sound. 8 years later and, 3 years into building an idiosyncratic career whether as “Big Gun” or “Big Kala” or being the face of the humorous buzz genre “Afro Cultism/Terrorism”, one truth keeps unravelling; Odumodublvck’s originality is propelling him into the world’s centre stage.
The “Declan Rice” crooner has earned a couple of awards since the very first year of his career and each year holds a bigger record than the last. In 2022, he emerged as the Next Rated Artist at the Galaxy Music Awards and the year after, he won The Headies Rookie of the Year and Best Rap Single awards. In 2024, the Abuja-grown superstar’s artistry has grown beyond the borders of his home country with a nomination in the Best International Flow category of the BET Hip Hop Awards.
Odumodublvck is elated about this milestone and attributes the success to God and his unwavering commitment to staying authentic. He reveals having another 3-year plan to reach a bigger goal but while basking right in the moment, we have a chat with the BET Hip Hop Awards nominee in anticipation of the award ceremony.
Congratulations on your nomination for Best International Flow. What was your reaction when you found out you were nominated?
I’d say happy. I knelt down, prayed to God and said thank you.
You were nominated in a category that focuses more on your journey as an artist, and not just a particular song? Do you think it affirms your journey as an artist?
It’s a way of God putting everything into the light to show the type of artist that I am, so I don’t need to explain much. When the time comes for it, you’ll get what I’m saying.
There are a couple of artists in the category including Stefflon Don from the UK. How does it feel to be acknowledged among all these artists in the category?
It’s a blessing, because normally if they tell you you’re nominated for an award in your own city, nominated for Headies, you know how you’ll be happy. Imagine getting an international nomination.
How do you see yourself going further as an artist, especially now that you’re recognised in such a major category?
Well, I think my journey is something I’ve always been conscious about. The way I am now, I know what I want to do in three years time, so moving forward is not a problem.
Moving on to that, you said you know where you want to be in three years. What is your long-term goal?
It’s in the Bible and depends on where you want to stretch it to. There’s no limit. I could be bigger than Michael Jackson, who knows? It just depends on how far you want to go, nobody knows tomorrow. When I become as big as Wizkid, by God’s grace, that’s when I’ll stop. I want to be very great.
You have a distinct sound. In what way does this award assert your originality? What is the key thing that has propelled you far enough to have an original sound and still be recognised for it?
That’s the best thing, the originality. Once you have your own sound and nobody is doing it, stick to it. Skepta said that if you don’t understand what you’re doing from the get-go, there’s going to be a little problem because it’ll be easy for them to just dump it. That uniqueness gets people to be so supportive because as they’re saying it’s good and other people agree, it sparks some conversations. That uniqueness is what will keep you afloat.
That’s interesting. Talking about this too, there are people who dislike your sound, and there are people who love it. How do you navigate the mixed reception while staying true to your authentic self?
It’s just about doing your thing because, at the end of the day, it’s not them that God gave the vision. If I listen to them, it means I’m failing not only God but myself. It’s an easy decision, and it even pays me, I’d rather have some people not like my shit than everybody liking it. If everybody likes it, there’s a problem. Not everyone is going to like it, it has to spark fire.
This is a tricky question. On a scale of 1-10, how certain are you that you’ll emerge as the winner in the category?
I think everybody has an equal chance, that’s why everybody is there. If it happens, it happens. The fact that we were even nominated, we’re already winners. That’s why we’re having this interview now. If it didn’t happen, we wouldn’t be doing this interview.
As an artist, what is a quote you live by?
To just believe in your “P”, and don’t listen to what people have to say, which is common. But do people really not listen to what people have to say? It’s easier said than done.
What advice would you give to emerging artists who look up to your journey right now?
When things are very tough for you, you may need to sell your properties to be able to afford studio sessions, do it. Fight if you need to fight.
