Davido tells Odumodublvck why winning Headies Next Rated prize matters
Afrobeats superstar Davido has shared heartfelt words with rising rapper Odumodublvck following his big win at the 17th Headies Awards.
Davido, who presented the coveted Next Rated award to Odumodublvck on the Headies Awards night, later placed a personal call to the rapper to emphasize just how important the prize is for any young artist’s career.
In a video making rounds on social media, Davido explained that several of Nigeria’s biggest music stars, including Wande Coal, Wizkid, and himself, once received the same award, and it marked the turning point in their rise to fame.
“Winning Next Rated is not just an award,” Davido told Odumodublvck. “It means your time has come. Wande Coal, Wizkid, myself, we all got it. It’s a confirmation you’re about to have a great career.”
The Unavailable hitmaker congratulated Odumodublvck once again for the achievement and encouraged him to use the moment as a launching pad for bigger milestones.
Odumodublvck, whose unique blend of rap and street sounds has earned him a loyal following, beat fellow nominees Shallipopi, Qing Madi, Ayo Maff, and Nasboi to clinch the Next Rated title. He also made history as the first rapper to win both the Rookie of the Year and Next Rated awards.
Since breaking into the scene with Picanto in 2022, Odumodublvck has enjoyed rapid success, collaborating with top acts like Zlatan, Burna Boy, and Davido himself on the hit single 5ive. His breakout track Declan Rice became a national anthem and was notably used to announce the English footballer’s signing to Arsenal in 2023.
With his latest win and recent release The Machine Is Coming, Odumodublvck is positioning himself as one of the most promising voices in Nigerian hip-hop. His forthcoming album, The Industry Machine, is already one of the year’s most anticipated projects.
