A Nigerian rapper, Odumodublvck, has expressed his opinion that hip-hop and its artists are not respected in Nigeria.
Odumodublvck, whose real name is Tochukwu Ojogwu, revealed in a recent CTRL Room interview that Nigerians do not value hip-hop or its performers. He recalled instances from his early career when organizers did not provide him with seats at award ceremonies.
Additionally, Odumodublvck disclosed that he deliberately rejected his team’s suggestion to collaborate with the Afrobeats sensation Davido, as he believed it would not bring him the fame he desired. Instead, he was drawn to the style of UK grime artists, which he felt aligned more closely with his own.
He stated, “In 2019, someone [in my team] suggested that we should go to Lagos and meet Davido. However, I questioned the impact Davido could have on my career. Even if Davido were to take me to America and have me perform my rap on stage, his fans wouldn’t relate because they are primarily afrobeats enthusiasts.
“Instead, I realized that Teezee, BOJ, and Sholz act as gateways to the UK market, and their style resonates with my own. So, I chose to pursue that route to achieve my aspirations.”
“I concluded that I didn’t require Davido’s assistance. I opted to align myself with individuals who share my vision. That decision has led us to where we are today, charting at number one in the country against all odds. They need to acknowledge and respect our achievements. We attended an award show and were not even provided with seats. Hip-hop is not respected in Nigeria. They do not respect us.”
