Playing Odumodublvck’s music sometimes feels like entering a trance. The finest sonic experience in Afrobeats grounds, his spine-tingling, spasm-inducing tunes will make you start dancing without even trying to do so. Born in Lagos and raised in Abuja, Nigeria, Odumodu has been one of the most exciting voices hailing from the African West Coast and a pioneer of drill music in the country. Operating under his self-defined genre, Okporoko, he masterfully navigates the intersection of hip-hop, grime, and R&B, all channelled through the lenses of Fela Kuti’s Afrobeat.

While moving masses on dance floors around the world, Odumodu caught the eyes of big fishes in the industry. His biggest single of 2022, “Declan Rice,” has more than 30 million streams — all due to a serendipitous moment of fate, as the, previously West Ham, now Arsenal footballer himself scored his first goal for England the night the song was dropping. “I didn’t plan to do this, I had done the hook and I was like “men just boku” my guys are plenty, like Rice. I’m a football person. Will came to the studio, a big West Ham fan, sent the song to the West Ham fan page and it just blew up like that. Next thing he’s winning trophies, smashing City. He’s a legend,” he says.

But Odumodu’s ties with British culture go far beyond football. He is now co-signed by Skepta’s label, Big Smoke Records, which feels like a pinch-me moment, as the rapper is one of his biggest influences in the industry. Here, we connect with Odumodu to discuss the release of the Deluxe version of his mixtape “Eziokwu (Uncut)” — featuring seven new tracks and a handful of A-list features — and what feels like his most close-to-home work to date.

Listen to “Eziokwu (Uncut)”…

Read the full interview…

How did everything start? When did you first realise you wanted to make music?
My rapper friend asked me to be his manager, so I said yes and then they invited me to the studio and told me to write some bars in the studio, things changed. I wasn’t even a manager for a day.

How have you been feeling since the release of the EP? How does it feel to finally share your art with the world?
It feels good, I’ve been traveling and meeting new people.

Tell us about the new mixtape: the creative process, when you started working on it, the musical influences, collaborations, the story behind it…
I want to listen to “Eziokwu” and immediately recognise my Nigerian and African roots. “Eziokwu” means truth in Igbo; the truth I wish to convey globally. Let us Africans embrace our African identity. Making our style of rap known worldwide is all that matters, regardless of any negative industry narratives. I believe it is very achievable and I wanted to show them that it can be done.

“Declan Rice” is one of your tracks that recently went viral. What’s the story behind the cut?
I didn’t plan to do this, I had done the hook and I was like “men just boku” my guys are plenty, like Rice. I’m a football person. Will came to the studio, a big West Ham fan, sent the song to the West Ham fan page and it just blew up like that. Next thing he’s winning trophies, smashing City. He’s a legend.

Your music is described as a fusion of various genres. Could you elaborate on how these diverse influences come together in your sound and what inspired your self-defined genre?
Growing up, I lived in different regions of Nigeria that significantly influence my current musical style. The goal is to make music everyone can relate to, even the fondness I have for UK rap is because many of the artists have African roots and create relatable music.

Who are your main sources of inspiration today, and who would be your dream collaboration?
The truth

Tell me more about your partnership with Skepta. How did it feel to have him co-signing your work?
When I heard Skep, I knew he was the guy. As a Nigerian, I studied him. He gave me the Big Smoke Records chain the first day he saw me and said he believed in my talent. Since that day, I knew I was doing the right thing. Let them respect the ting.

You had several collaborations on your EP. What was it like working with these talented musicians, and what do you think you learned most from the experience?
They’re all my friends, so it felt organic to make music with them all.

How do you view your music’s impact on the Nigerian music scene, and what do you hope to achieve with your music on a broader scale?
I saw the success in the Nigerian music scene coming because we’ve put in the work, backed by the best team. Now a lot of people know you can make it out of the streets while being true to yourself and your sound. And I’m eager to share our unique style of rap with the world.

The visual story of the EP’s cover art is very captivating. Can you share the story behind it?
EZIOKWU – the truth. I am looking at myself, because all I see is me. Slawn painted it.

What are you most excited about in the future, and where do you see your art going?
Bringing that excitement to peoples lives.