Entertainment (Commonwealth Union) OdumoduBlvck, an award-winning Nigerian rapper, has stirred up debates with a bold claim that Declan Rice, his 2023 hit, is the most culturally impactful song in the history of Nigerian hip-hop. The artist made a statement during his interview with Beat FM, defending his opinion and emphasising the global impact of his track.
According to OdomoduBlvck, there have not been any other Nigerian rap songs that have achieved the same level of impact as Declan Rice. The rapper’s fanbase was seen to have formed a division online, with Phyno’s 2013 Alobam being proposed by some to have a much stronger hold locally, despite OdumoduBlvck having focused on the global perspective rather than the local.
The Nigerian rapper backed his claim, speaking of key milestones that displayed the far-reaching reception of his song, with one instance including the use of the track by Arsenal Football Club to unveil their July 2023 signing with West Ham United. With the move making headlines across various international sports and entertainment outlets, Odumodu Blvck’s hip-hop track was tied to one of the most high-profile football transfers recently.
The rapper later released a cleaner version of the track, the “Arsenal Version”, tailored to suit the official unveiling, marking a strategic collaboration between sport and music across cultures.
The song also caught the attention of prominent figures in the industry, with OdomoduBlvck receiving co-signs from major artists such as Rick Ross, Skepta, Stormzy, and Nasty C, achieving a significant milestone for a Nigerian rapper, earning recognition from majorly successful artists in both the UK and the US.
In addition to becoming a large commercial success, the track also racked up quite a few accolades, winning Rap Song of the Year at the 16th Headies Awards. The artist himself was awarded Rookie of the Year and received a nomination for Best International Flow later on at the BET Hip-Hop Awards.
Before his rise to stardom, OdumoduBlvck had been performing since 2018 in the Abuja underground scene. He started gaining ground in 2022 with the release of Picanto, a track that featured Zlatan Ibile and Ecko Miles. The song that marked his venture into the mainstream, Picanto, debuted on multiple TurnTable Charts, such as Hip-Hop Rap Songs and Top 100.
He subsequently signed with NATIVE Records in partnership with Def Jam Recordings, elevating his career to new heights. EZIOKWU, a mixtape recorded by the rap star, dominated the Nigerian charts and topped the TurnTable Top 100 with tracks like Blood On The Dance Floor and Cast. In the meantime, Eziokwu (Uncut) scored the No. 01 spot on the Top 50 Albums Chart.
Apart from his music, the rap star is also known for his sense of fashion and his unique stage presence. OdumoduBlvck usually opts to wear a traditional Igbo warrior hat known as Okpu Agu—an article that pays tribute to his cultural roots. The symbolism behind the accessory also works to establish his distinct image.
Having survived a life-threatening surgery back in 2023, the rapper channeled the emotion and urgency into his masterpiece, Declan Rice. The song rapidly rose up into the top 10 of the TurnTable Nigeria Top 100 songs chart and took its place as No. 01 not long after on TheCable Lifestyle Airplay Chart.
The rapper also recently revealed his collaboration with the producer and founder of Mavin Records, Don Jazzy. The producer had reportedly gotten involved after OdumoduBlvck had expressed that the track had been missing an element and had also gifted him $10,000. Don Jazzy also demonstrated his faith in OdumoduBlvck’s skill, waiving rights to royalties in an inspiring act of mentorship, simply allowing feature credits.
Nevertheless, as the debate goes on regarding the impact of OdumoduBlvck’s Declan Rice, it is undeniable that the rapper continues to make significant contributions that represent Nigeria on international platforms.
