To many of his fans across the globe, he is called OdumoduBlvck, Big Kala, or Modu. His songs carry a form of drill, rap, and what his fans call “Afro Violence.” Starting his career from the streets of Abuja, Tochukwu Gbubemi Ojogwu’s story is one of firm commitment to belief and purpose, as he often says, he knew he was destined for greatness. In this feature, Weekend Trust narrates Odumodu’s climb to becoming one of the greatest artistes of his generation.
OdumoduBlvck isn’t your everyday Nigerian artiste. To many of his fans, he is considered a rare artiste whose music doesn’t just entertain but also tells one where he’s coming from, an insight into his faith, struggles, identity, and grind.
OdumoduBlvck was born on October 19, 1993, in Lagos, but his roots stretch all the way back to Anioma, Delta State. At the age of seven, Odumodu and his family relocated to Abuja, where his passion for music and views about the world began to take shape. At Christ the King College, Gwagwalada, he earned the nickname Odumodu, a name that would later deliver hits not just on local but global charts.
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According to the artiste, he had always known he was destined to be great and didn’t shy away from the spotlight that awaited him. Modu said that his mother raised him on scripture and music, while his father gave him discipline and drive.
In an interview, he said, “I’m a covenant child. My mum had me at 39. God made me for something, I know that much.”
Odumodu first enrolled in Bowen University, where he expressed his dislike for the school’s strict rules and limited freedom, which led to him intentionally missing his first-year exams, earning a grade point of 0.01, and ultimately leaving the school. He later settled at the University of Lagos, where he earned his first degree.
After school, Odumodu’s artistry grind became more intense as he performed at school shows, cypher battles, and hostel parties, dropping singles as part of the Anti World Gangsters collective, a group of upcoming artistes in the capital city. His sound gave a feel of Afro drill mixed with influences from the eastern part of Nigeria. However, it wasn’t a sound that many were willing to embrace at the time.
In a Cool FM interview, the artiste once ridiculed how broke he used to be in those days. He said, “I used to sleep in people’s parlors. But I always knew I’d make it. I saw it in my dreams. God showed me tomorrow. I knew everything was gonna work out. I have made it, and I’m still making it.”
Odumodu’s luck changed for the better in 2022 when he signed to NATIVE Records, later partnering with Def Jam. His single Picanto featuring Zlatan and Ecko Miles gave him his first real chart presence, as the song peaked on Nigeria’s TurnTable Top 100.
However, the real fame came in 2023 with Declan Rice. The song didn’t just run through the charts, it flew. Even West Ham United captain Declan Rice expressed his joy as his name was suddenly on the lips of every Nigerian thanks to Odumodublvck. Not long after, with the song playing in the background, Arsenal announced the signing of Declan Rice in July 2023.
Odumodu himself did not let the hype die as he took to X (formerly Twitter) to post, “In the history of Nigerian hip-hop, no song has had more impact than Declan Rice. It’s the biggest digital asset Arsenal has ever had. Check it.”
After Declan Rice, it was more fire to flame for Odumodu. In October 2023, he released his mixtape under Def Jam Recordings titled EZIOKWU (written in capital letters). The album featured major hits including Blood on the Dance Floor featuring Bloody Civilian, Firegun with Fireboy DML, Kubolor, and many other hit songs. Blood On The Dance Floor was one of the top two tracks on the TurnTable Top 100 charts. At the same time, Eziokwu (Uncut) became the number one album on the TurnTable Official Top 50 Albums chart.
The artist went on to drop more singles within the year featuring Tiwa Savage and Shallipopi. Cast, his Shallipopi collaboration, grew into a club hit as the song, released in December 2023, remained on the charts until about February 2024.
In September 2025, Odumodublvck shared with his fans the title of his new album Industry Machine. Shortly before the announcement, he gained momentum with the release of his smash single Pay Me, featuring Zlatan and British rapper Stormzy.
Additionally, he teased fans with a sneak peek at the album’s tracklist and official cover, created by well-known artist and designer Slawn, who previously designed the artwork for Eziokwu. Wizkid, Davido, Giggs, Modenine, and many others were reportedly featured on the 23-track album.
Fans were thrilled as not only had he managed to collaborate with both Davido and Wizkid, who are said to be unspoken rivals, but he had also been able to work with international artists Skepta and Saweetie. It also explained the viral video of Saweetie and Odumodublvck working together in the studio in late December 2024.
However, in an interview days before the album’s release, the artist explained that neither Wizkid nor Davido charged him a penny for their contributions, stating that the Wizkid feature was even a gift to him.
He said, “Davido and Wizkid are real men. Both of them know they are on my album, but they are there by the special grace of God and on the virtue of the respect they have for my hustle because I didn’t pay them a dime. The song that Wizkid featured on is his song. He gave me the song. I didn’t record and send it to him, he gave me!”
The album officially hit the airwaves on October 5, 2025, and has since been trending on charts and radio stations. It currently occupies the number one spot on the Apple Music Nigeria Top Albums chart.
In an X post, Odumodublvck also shared a video of sports journalist and influencer Fabrizio Romano using his popular slogan “Here we go!” to announce the album drop. “HERE WE GO!! INDUSTRY MACHINE, THE ALBUM. OUT NOW. AS PER. #FabrizioRomano,” he wrote.
Since its release, the album has made noise on social media with many praising Odumodu for his enigmatic lines and show of skill. Fans have taken to X to share their favorite lines, tracks, and opinions of the highly anticipated project.
An X user, @lobarbeatz, wrote, “If your woman listens to @Odumodublvck_ and @BurnaBoy, understand that she’s filled with confidence and self-assurance. She’s not someone you can easily toy with, and with her by your side, the possibilities are endless.”
Another user, @Dimmyjhay200, said, “Wiz don oppress Modu for song, he say baba calm down. #INDUSTRYMACHINE #TheMachineIsComing.”
@6a6ayaga quoted a line from one of the songs, writing, “I don’t need you to grant me favors. Even bricklayer know my labor. Their defense in shamble, Titus Bramble. Oya now, OD you do this one!”
@Olamiilekon said, “@Odumodublvck_ is whoever he says he is; a top performer and a lyricist. #TheMachineIsComing.”
@afroshockerx added, “@Odumodublvck_ is really the machine. This is the first album we’re having Davido and Wizkid featured on. #TheMachineIsComing.”
Speaking to Weekend Trust, a loyal fan of Odumodu from his early days, Raymond Zagi, said that although he initially felt Odumodu’s sound was too abrasive, he grew to become one of his favorite artists.
“I first heard of Odumodu from an Abuja artist called Reeplay,” he said. “At the time, they had just come together to form Anti World Gangsters, and I’ll be honest, Odumodu’s sound came off as noisy. But once I settled into his music and lyrics, I was hooked.”
Zagi describes Industry Machine as one of Odumodu’s best works of art. “The new album is madness,” he said. “I’ve been locked in on it for two days straight. Permit me to say, I think this is his best album so far. It’s too good that I’m yet to decide my favorite track.”
However, with great power and fame comes great responsibility. Just like many artists, Odumodu’s popularity isn’t just about his songs, his bold character has also caused him to be involved in a few controversies in the industry.
In 2023, he came under heavy fire as many accused him of being a misogynist after the release of Cast, where a lyric about “wigs and handbags” was seen as demeaning to women. He denied the claims, insisting his words were being twisted for clout.
In May 2023, Odumodublvck revealed on X that he had declined an invitation to perform at the presidential inauguration of Nigeria’s 16th president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the accompanying Renewed Hope Concert. “They tried to get me to perform at the inauguration,” he tweeted. “They didn’t do their research.”
Earlier that year, Odumodublvck had publicly shown his support for Peter Obi, the Labour Party candidate, referencing him in the second verse of his song Vex with the line, “I dey hope on Peter Obi to save me.” He even jokingly described himself as Peter Obi’s running mate in several social media posts.
At the 2025 Headies Awards, Odumodublvck’s mic was cut mid-speech reportedly for going overtime. However, he claimed it was because he began speaking about Jesus Christ. The artiste later said, “If I said Sanwo-Olu, they wouldn’t cut it.” Fans rallied behind him, calling it another example of his voice being silenced.
In his walk to fame, he has also locked horns with fellow artists and industry figures.
Once, veteran singer Jaywon accused him of arrogance, to which Odumodublvck responded that “OGs” just hate seeing the new wave shine. Another time, he called out label executives for exploiting artists and accused the industry of stream farming, inflating numbers to fake success.
Over the course of building his career, Odumodublvck has earned multiple awards and nominations. At the 2025 Headies, he took home the awards for Best Rap Single and Next Rated Artist. In 2024, he secured the Headies for Best Rap Single and Rookie of the Year. He also won Artist of the Year at the 2025 Leadership Awards.
At 31, Odumodublvck is both an artist and a force. With lyrics expressing profanity, faith with rebellion, and wisdom with wildness, he aims to show that he’s not a saint, and that in an age of filtered perfection, he will remain the flawed voice shouting truth from the stage.
