INCLUDES SEVEN NEW TRACKS WITH FEATURES FROM BLACK SHERIF, MASICKA, TENI, & MORE
LISTEN HERE
Rising Nigerian artist and rapper ODUMODUBLVCK (pronounced “O-doo-moh-doo-black”) – who’s ode to Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice went viral earlier this summer and just recently took home ‘Best Rap Single’ honors at The 2023 Headies – reups and recharges his acclaimed 2023 mixtape EZIOKWU with the brand new (UNCUT) Deluxe Edition out now via NATIVE Records/Def Jam Recordings. Listen HERE. He reignites the project with seven new tracks, including top-tier features by Black Sherif, Masicka, Teni, and more.
Among the added material, the opener “ABUJA PEOPLE” [feat. Deco Suave] layers a chantable chorus atop a shuffling beat and funkified bass line. Deco pulls up for a hypnotic harmony. “HOTEL LOBBY” [feat. Anti World Gangstars] hinges on ethereal synths as a soulful hook hovers over the soundscape, as ODU uses this posse cut to introduce the global audience to his rap crew. “BADMAN BOUNCE” [feat. Reeplay & Duncan Mighty] pins his smooth flow to danceable Afrobeats drums. Meanwhile, Reeplay and Duncan elevate the track as an invitation rings out, “How low can you go?” ODUMPDUBLVCK flaunts his high register on “MINIMAL FUSS” [feat. Boj]. During “A1 PERICO” [feat. Nasty C & Mizzle], an eruption of 808s complements a rapid cadence as Mizzle warns, “You woke up a demon again.” Then, there’s the energetic “NO PROTOCOL” [feat. Teni & Masicka], which instantly captivates. Finally “WOTO WOTO SEASONING” [feat. Black Sherif] spikes a head-nodding beat with electric guitar, anchoring the unshakable simmering groove.
Meanwhile, the original EZIOKWU has occupied #1 in Nigeria on streaming and radio for four weeks and counting. The single “BLOOD ON THE DANCEFLOOR” [feat. Wale & Bloody Civilian] also continues to hold strong in the Top 20 of the Billboard Afrobeats Songs Chart. Plus, it vaulted to #11 on the UK chart and #7 on the YouTube video charts. Inciting critical applause, HYPEBEAST proclaimed, “The Lagos-born musician was raised in Abuja, Nigeria, and has been one of the most exciting voices out of the country’s capital in recent times.” Billboard named the single “MC OLUOMO” among “Afrobeats Fresh Picks of the Month” and described it as “invigorating.”
In his native language Igbo, EZIOKWU translates to “The Truth,” and this moniker proves utterly apropos when it comes to these 14 tracks…
On the record, ODUMODUBLVCK threads together open-hearted lyricism with an organic hybrid of floor-moving Afrobeats and future-facing R&B spiked with grime—which he personally dubs “okporoko rhythms.” It’s honest. It’s raw. It’s real. It’s EZIOKWU.
He set the stage for the mixtape with the single “MC OLUOMO.” Beyond tallying north of 2.8 million Spotify streams and 891K YouTube views on the music video, it earned widespread critical acclaim. NOTION praised how “‘MC OLUOMO’ flips ODUMODUBLVCK’s script.”
Meanwhile, his collaboration with Adekunle Gold, “Wrong Person,” has gathered north of 2.5 million Spotify streams to date. He also made headlines for his recent “On The Radar” freestyle, delivering a border-crossing performance over the beat of Skepta & Nafe Smallz’s “Greaze Mode.” Watch it HERE.
THE TRUTH is here, thanks to ODUMODUBLVCK.
The artwork painted by British-Nigerian designer and artist,Slawn is an original piece painted on canvas depicting ODUMODU in introspection, encapsulating a profound moment of self-validation. The image captures ODUMODU’s gaze turned inward, seeking affirmation from within, a realisation that the wellspring of approval must come from himself alone. Multiple iterations of his persona coexist harmoniously in the portrayal, emphasizing that every facet is authentically him. This convergence serves as an embodiment of truth – the undeniable reality that regardless of the various facets, they all comprise the essence of ODUMODU.
Fresh off starring in the recent NOCTA x Nike collaboration, the Nigerian drill scene’s most exciting and pioneering voice returned this Spring with the record-breaking single “DECLAN RICE” (37.7M+ streams globally, Nigeria’s biggest all time week 1) which debuted at #27 Billboard U.S Afrobeats Songs chart and was used as the official announcement audio in the Arsenal Declan Rice announcement. His deep, intentional lyricism on earlier singles including “Picanto” and “DOG EAT DOG II” have garnered a swell of support from titles including Dazed, Crack, The Line of Best Fit, Wonderland, GUAP, Dotty and Remi Burgz on BBC 1xtra.
