Nigerian rapper OdumoduBlvck recently took to his X account to share a remarkable update: his breakout hit Declan Rice experienced a staggering 200% spike in streaming numbers shortly after the Arsenal vs. Real Madrid match.
The rapper credited this surge to the exceptional performance of Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice, who netted two spectacular free-kick goals, leading the North London side to a dominant 3-0 victory. “The MACHINE dey move!” OdumoduBlvck posted excitedly.
“DECLAN RICE with 2 goals and my streams just dey fly! 200% increase! E no be joke.” His post immediately garnered attention, blending football fandom with his musical acclaim.
The match, which saw Declan Rice earn Man of the Match honors, seemed to breathe new life into the song named after him.
With Rice’s name once again trending globally, fans and curious listeners flocked to streaming platforms to revisit the rapper’s 2023 anthem.
Originally released as one of the lead singles for OdumoduBlvck’s critically acclaimed project Eziokwu, Declan Rice served as a cultural marker that fused sports and music in a way few Nigerian songs had done before.
The track’s blend of aggressive lyricism and football references struck a chord, making it an instant fan favorite.
“Declan Rice changed everything for me,” OdumoduBlvck once said in an earlier interview. “It was more than a song—it was a moment. It crossed borders and connected me to a wider audience.”
The track didn’t just dominate playlists—it also clinched the Rap Song of the Year award at the 16th Headies Awards, cementing its place in contemporary Nigerian music history.
Its popularity was further amplified when Arsenal used the track in their unveiling video for Declan Rice’s record-breaking £100 million transfer from West Ham, making it one of the rare times a Nigerian hip hop song was directly linked with a global sports moment.
In yet another major milestone, OdumoduBlvck was recently crowned Leadership Newspaper’s Artist of the Year for 2024, an award that recognizes his impact on music, culture, and youth identity.
Attending the ceremony with his mother and the Anti-World Gangstars collective, the rapper received a standing ovation as he dedicated the award to “the streets that made me and the people who never stopped believing.”
The award is not only a reflection of his meteoric rise but also a validation of his ability to transcend genre boundaries and redefine what it means to be a rapper in Nigeria today.
His Artist of the Year recognition comes just weeks after he surprised fans with the release of The Machine Is Coming, a gritty 16-track mixtape packed with guest appearances from Victony, BOJ, Shallipopi, and Rondodasosa.
Serving as a warm-up for his forthcoming album Industry Machine, the project continues his tradition of blending streetwise narratives with experimental production.
“This one na just small fire,” he teased during an interview. “Industry Machine go scatter everywhere.”
Critics and fans alike have praised The Machine Is Coming for its raw energy and sharp lyricism, solidifying his reputation as a fearless innovator.
As 2025 unfolds, OdumoduBlvck is already eyeing more accolades. He leads the nomination board at the 17th Headies Awards with eight nods, including for Next Rated, Rap Album of the Year, and Rap Song of the Year.
With momentum firmly on his side and a growing global fanbase, the rapper continues to expand the reach of Nigerian hip hop.
Whether through viral anthems, football linkups, or genre-defying projects, OdumoduBlvck is proving that he’s not just riding the wave—he’s the one creating it.
