Rapper Tochukwu Ojogwu, who is better known by his stage name Odumodublvck, has expressed his perspective on the Nigerian music scene and how hip-hop artists are often undervalued. In a recent interview with the CTRL Room, he opened up about his experiences as a budding artist and his journey in the music industry.
Odumodublvck recalled a time when he was not offered seats at award ceremonies as a newcomer to the industry, highlighting a perceived lack of recognition for hip-hop artists in Nigeria. This experience served as a testament to the challenges faced by those in the genre who strive to gain the same level of acknowledgment as their counterparts in other music styles.
Odumodublvck said, “In 2019, someone [in my team] said we should go to Lagos and meet Davido. But I was like, ‘What will Davido do for me? Even if Davido takes me to America and puts me on stage and I’m rapping my stuff, his fans won’t understand because they are afrobeats fans.’
“But these guys: Teezee, BOJ, and Sholz, are the pipeline to the UK market. And those are the closest guys I sound like internationally. So why don’t I follow that route to get to wherever I want to get to?’
“I was like, I don’t need Davido for anything now. Let me follow people that align with my vision. And that was how we just came together and we’re here now. Number one in the country against all odds. Tell them, they’ve to respect that thing. Because we went for an award show and we didn’t even have seats. They don’t respect hip-hop in Nigeria. They don’t respect us.”
