The Nigerian rapper Odumodublvck has addressed the persistent criticism directed at his contentious lyrics in the 2023 joint hit “Cast,” which he co-wrote with Shallipopi.
Listeners and activists strongly objected to the song’s lyrics, which include slurs about women’s financial reliance on men, calling the material insulting to women.
Since the song’s release, the criticism has continued, rekindling discussions on woman representation in Nigerian hip-hop. The “Declan Rice” singer said that his remarks were “misinterpreted” in a recent interview on Beat FM.
The 31-year-old rapper also explained that his lyrics reflect reality and not hatred. He pointed to his collaborations with Tiwa Savage and Bloody Civilian as proof that he “is not misogynistic”.
“It makes me excited because the moment they stop, business stops booming. I am an entertainer, not a pastor, motivational speaker, or engineer. It is a polarisation effect. Some people think this guy is a misogynist. They even killed Jesus. So, who am I? But there are some people who say this guy has a song with Tiwa Savage. This guy has a song that went number one with Bloody Civilian,” he said.
“And in the last year, I am the artiste who has featured the most women in the game. What kind of misogynist is that? That is a fake one. I am the kind of person who puts my two feet into something. So, if I am going to be a misogynist, I have to be the greatest one of all time. There are people who would be on the other side. I need that backlash. It is part of the business.
“I never lied in what I said. It was in the way I said it.
“Industry cannot hold me. I am unstoppable. Something is in me, and in due time, it will reveal itself. I do not even know what I am capable of. Once you start rapping and try to sound like Odumodu, people will ask you to stop. Let them bring out which line has had more cultural impact than the line on ‘Cast’.”