Wikipedia

Eziokwu

Eziokwu stylized in all cap EZIOKWU (Igbo: Eziokwu; English: Truth)[1] is the fifth mixtape album by Nigerian rapper Odumodublvck.[2] It was released on 6 October 2023 by NATIVE Records, and Def Jam, through UMG in partnership with The Native Networks. It was exclusively produced by Odumodublvck, and Teezee, with additional production from Spykida, Sholz, Trill Xoe, JohnWav, Ucee, Cross YDC, Jimohsoundz, Deepaholiq, Twitchpapiii, IceBeatzz, and Mo. Sounds. It features guest appearances from Amaarae, Blaqbonez, Wale, Bloody Civilian, Fireboy DML, Reeplay, Teezee, PsychoYP, Bella Shmurda, Cruel Santino, ECko Miles, and Zlatan. The mixtape’s cover art was created by Olaolu Slawn.[3]

EZIOKWU
Mixtape by
Odumodublvck
Released6 October 2023
Recorded2022–2023
Genre
Length38:31
Label
Producer
  • Odumodublvck & Teezee (exec.)
  • Spykida
  • Sholz
  • Trill Xoe
  • Ucee
  • JohnWav
  • Cross YDC
  • IceBeatzz
  • Jimohsoundz
  • Deepaholiq
  • Twitchpapiii
  • Mo. Sounds
Odumodublvck chronology
The Drop
(2022) 		EZIOKWU
(2023)
Singles from EZIOKWU
  1. "PICANTO"
    Released: 21 November 2022
  2. "DECLAN RICE"
    Released: 24 March 2023
  3. "DOG EAT DOG II"
    Released: 30 May 2023
  4. "FIREGUN"
    Released: 30 June 2023
  5. "MC OLUOMO"
    Released: 15 September 2023
  6. "BLOOD ON THE DANCE FLOOR"
    Released: 5 October 2023

Background and promotion

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On 31 August 2023, which was initially scheduled to be the release date of the mixtape. However, in the early hours of the date, he tweeted how deeply sorry he was to move the release date as he believed his fans were not ready for the truth.[4] On 14 September 2023, he signed an exclusive deal with Def Jam Recordings in United States, before the release of his fifth studio mixtape album.[5]

While speaking with Dazed about the name of his mixtape, Odumodublvck said: “Many musicians say, ‘My music is different,’ but is it different? My mixtape is the first time in the history of Nigerian music that an album has come in this form. It has highlife, Afrobeat, Afro-fusion, it has real hip-hop, and it has drill. I did this from scratch; it's me saying that ‘it’s me, I’m the truth.’”[6]

On 16 October 2023, he spoke with Nandi Madida on the inspiration behind the Eziokwu on the Africa Now radio show, Odumodu said: “In as much as it’s a hip-hop album, it has a lot of Afrobeats elements to it, afro-fusion elements, it even has Ghanaian highlife. I try to make a project that has never been made before, or created before, in the history of African music. The sound has this, this, this, and that, but it still sounds like one body of work.”[7] On 17 October 2023, he discussed the album with DJ Target on BBC Radio 1Xtra.[8]

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Pulse Nigeria7.7/10

EZIOKWU received generally positive reviews from music critics. In a review for Pulse Nigeria, Adeayo Adebiyi said: “As an album, 'Eziokwu' is a compilation that captures Odumodublvck's recent success in the mainstream. While this is by no means his strongest body of work yet, the album needs to be examined for what it is; a compilation of tracks to service his early listeners as well as the newfound audience while preparing them for the beginning of his mainstream journey.”[9] In a review for The Native, Dennis Ade Peter said “‘EZIOKWU’ is a proper encapsulation of what it means to believe in your own sauce, beyond the sake of hubris. He's worked hard and smart to get to this point, and he's relishing the spoils of success with an invigorated edge. The raps pound the earth and the melodies waft to the skies; the music is vibrant and varied, and the features are roundly brilliant. Most importantly, ODUMODUBLVCK is in total control while toggling his voice between aggressive rapper and melody bender. Talk about a man who can do both. In its assuredness, ‘EZIOKWU’ is a show of musical excellence.”[10]

Commercial performance

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EZIOKWU debuted at number 1 in Nigeria Top 50 Albums, with 8,130 equivalent album units; with 12.2 million on-demand streaming activity on the week of 6 October to 12 October.[11]

Track listing

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EZIOKWU standard edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."COMMEND"Tochukwu
  • Spykida
  • Sholz
2:28
2."DECLAN RICE"
  • Tochukwu
  • Agu Uchechukwu James
  • Awe Babalola
  • David Utibe-Abasi Okuku
  • John Olisemeke Uwaishe
  • Trill Xoe
  • JohnWav
2:04
3."KUBOLOR"
  • Trill Xoe
  • JohnWav
2:09
4."ADAMMA BEKE" (featuring Amaarae)TochukwuUcee2:14
5."SHOOT AND GO HOME"TochukwuBigfootinyourface2:52
6."TESLA BOY" (featuring Blaqbonez)
Spykida3:05
7."MC OLUOMO"TochukwuCross YDC1:47
8."BLOOD ON THE DANCE FLOOR" (featuring Bloody Civilian and Wale)
  • Jimohsoundz
  • Deepaholiq
3:53
9."FIREGUN" (featuring Fireboy DML)
  • Twitchpapiii
  • Trill Xoe
  • JohnWav
3:14
10."SAINT OBI" (featuring Reeplay)
  • Tochukwu
  • Reeplay
IceBeatzz2:34
11."STRIPPERS ANTHEM" (featuring Teezee, and PsychoYP)
2:50
12."DOG EAT DOG II" (featuring Cruel Santino, and Bella Shmurda)
Ucee4:00
13."HAMMER TIME"TochukwuUcee2:17
14."PICANTO" (featuring Zlatan, and ECko Miles)
Jimohsoundz3:04
Total length:38:31

EZIOKWU (Uncut)

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Deluxe edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
15."ABUJA PEOPLE" (featuring Decosuave)
  • Tochukwu
  • Decosuave
Oshow Daviz2:40
16."HOTEL LOBBY" (featuring Anti World Gangstars)
  • Tochukwu
  • Reeplay
  • Agunna
  • Shagba
  • EKIZZY
  • Deco Suave
  • XL spiff
  • Gothicissues
  • Cross YDC
3:27
17."BADMAN BOUNCE" (featuring Reeplay & Duncan Mighty)
  • Mr Brxlliant
  • Spykida
3:46
18."MINIMAL FUSS" (featuring BOJ)
  • Tochukwu
  • Bolaji Odojukan
  • Abel Lead Us
  • Jimohsoundz
  • Ucee
2:56
19."A1 PERICO" (featuring Mizzle & Nasty C)
  • Buci Buci
  • Spykida
3:29
20."NO PROTOCOL" (featuring Masicka & Teni)
  • Wizical
  • Emrld
3:14
21."WOTOWOTO SEASONING" (featuring Black Sherif)
  • Gothic Issues
  • Cross YDC
  • Spykida
2:51
Total length:01:00:44

Charts

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Chart performance for EZIOKWU
Chart (2023) Peak
position
Nigeria Albums (TurnTable)[12] 1

References

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  1. ^ Okim, Itty. "ODUMODUBLVCK Is the Truth". OkayAfrica. Okayplayer. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  2. ^ Nigeria, Guardian (28 October 2023). "Odumodublvck Unveils Highly Anticipated Mixtape, Eziokwu". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  3. ^ "NCVRD: How Olaolu Slawn created Odumodublvck's 'EZIOKWU'". The NATIVE. 2023-10-05. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  4. ^ "Odumodublvck's drops new mixtape titled 'EZIOKWU' – The Beat 99.9 FM Port-Harcourt". www.thebeat99ph.com. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  5. ^ Udugba, Anthony (14 September 2023). "Odumodublvck signs exclusive deal with Def Jam Recordings". Businessday NG. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  6. ^ Onapa, Emmanuel (18 October 2023). "Odumodublvck: the rising Nigerian artist fusing Afrobeats and drill". Dazed. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  7. ^ Adebiyi, Adeayo (16 October 2023). "I wanted to make a project that has never been made before - ODUMODUBLVCK". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  8. ^ "DJ Target - Odumodublvck joins Target for a chat!". www.bbc.co.uk. BBC Sounds. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  9. ^ Adebiyi, Adeayo (6 October 2023). "ODUMODUBLVCK shares his truth on 'EZIOKWU'". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  10. ^ Peter, Dennis Ade (6 October 2023). "Read Our 1-Listen Review Of ODUMODUBLVCK's 'EZIOKWU'". The NATIVE. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  11. ^ Native, The (19 October 2023). "ODUMODUBLVCK's 'EZIOKWU' Is The No.1 Album In The Country". The NATIVE. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  12. ^ "Nigeria Top 50 Albums". www.turntablecharts.com. TurnTable Charts. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
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