Nigerian rap star Odumodublvck has confirmed that fans will finally get their first official look at his highly anticipated project, The Machine Is Here, this Friday, September 19, 2025.

The rapper, also known as Big Kala, made the announcement on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, through a personal letter and a press release he shared on X (formerly Twitter). The post, titled "A Letter from Kala – Industry Machine", carried both his reflections on the past year and an official statement from his labels, NATIVE Records and Def Jam Recordings.

In the heartfelt letter, Odumodublvck looked back on a whirlwind 12 months of touring, success, and awards. “What a year it has been. I’ve been all over the world, spreading the gospel of the machine. From Yaounde, Cameroon, to Stockholm, Sweden. From Unilag to Seattle. AbuaD to Paris. Stages to schools. Another number one mixtape. Another number one single. Bagged 2 more Headies Awards. All of this is possible through the grace of God & all of your support. Thank you for the patience,” he wrote.

He ended the message with the big reveal: “I am happy to announce that on September 19th, you will see the first look of the machine. They cannot stop us. The machine is finally here.”

This latest update comes after months of speculation about the project. Earlier this year, Odumodublvck dropped The Machine Is Coming, a mixtape that built momentum for the new release. His breakthrough 2023 project, Eziokwu, earned him widespread recognition and two Headies awards, cementing his place as one of Nigeria’s most exciting rap voices.

The new album is expected to feature collaborations with global stars including Davido, Skepta, and Stormzy, details that have only heightened fans’ anticipation.

With just two days until the first glimpse, excitement is at an all-time high. For Odumodublvck, who has spent the year moving from local stages to international arenas, The Machine Is Here marks the next step in his fast-rising career.

A LETTER FROM KALA .

- INDUSTRY MACHINE https://t.co/jSWR2bIkBl pic.twitter.com/AWSBiFK9G2

— INDUSTRY MACHINE (@Odumodublvck_) September 17, 2025

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Anyone familiar with Lagos knows it’s famously split in two. The Island, home to upscale neighborhoods and trendy spots, is seen as the city’s most desirable area. The Mainland, where most Lagosians live, is rich in culture but often dismissed for its lack of polish. When the Mainland Block Party launched in 2018, its founders set out to shift that perception by throwing the coolest party you’ve ever attended.

“We just wanted to make sure that people understood that living on the Mainland doesn’t mean that you’re ratchet or doesn’t mean that it can’t be safe,” says Rebecca Momah, the Deputy Team Lead of the organization. “People can also have fun on the Mainland. The Block Party was built on community, and we made sure everybody felt welcome”.

Ever since the initial Block Party in Ikeja, Lagos’ capital, its relevance has stretched beyond mainland Lagos to other parts of Africa and even the world. It’s organized a nationwide tour with ODUMODUBLVCK, been headlined by Davido, and now, it’s hosting a show in New York City. This show is in collaboration with OkayAfrica as part of the platform’s 15th anniversary celebrations. Although scene-defining, the wins of the Mainland Block Party reveal essential lessons on how to build and retain community.

“Every new Block Party is a new reason to show people why we’re the ones,” says Tobi Mohammed, co-founder of Mainland Block Party. “At some point, it started to feel like we’re loved, and I felt that shift, of course, being able to sell tickets into thousands or multiples of hundreds, in cities that we didn’t start from. It’s a blessing itself. People have spent more and didn’t have those results. I would say that we kinda have this mindset of ‘fight for it, and just be grateful about it when you win.’ So every endeavor feels new.”

Constant reinvention has been a defining mark of Block Party. “To earn a new city or be grounded in that city,” says Mohammed, in description of what they’re always looking to achieve. With Mainland Block Party sharing the same founders as the music agency Plug NG — Asa Asika and Bizzle Osikoya — there’s strong incentive to burrow into deeper levels of youth culture, with Mohammed once revealing that entertainment chose him, and before working in the scene, he used to watch these men he now calls partners on-screen, with utmost respect for what they’re doing to uplift what he described as “coolness currency.”

“They’re new things every time,” says Momah about the lessons they’ve gotten from organizing the events. “It’s not the same every time; every event is dynamic in its own way. The biggest lesson there for me is, you’re a master at this, but there’s also room for you to learn. You can’t say you know it all [about] doing events; you have to give yourself room to grow, you have to give yourself room to listen, you have to give yourself room to take feedback.”

“Digital is the new coal,” infers Mohammed, “so you have to reinvent yourself and ask yourself how you can always catch up on that wave.” Reiterating the need to keep an open perspective, their words show how Mainland Block Party has been able to keep afloat in an ever-shifting industry, becoming a sort of precursor to Lagos’ rave scene that has since become a strong feature of the city’s nightlife and an influencer of homegrown Afrobeats.

For Mainland Block Party, it’s been a steady journey towards global domination, and the New York event is the next phase of their phenomenal run. Before now, they’ve had two intercontinental events, one in London and the other in the U.S., headlined by Afro rap artist Zlatan. But that was a pop-up, not really an all-out show, and with the New York show, they’re bringing the flamboyant ODUMODUBLVCK to imprint the Afrobeats experience on that stage.

“Expensive o,” jokes Mohammed when asked about how they have gone about organizing the New York Block Party event. “Just look at it as a newborn baby trying to find their feet in this world,” says Momah. “That’s just how to crown the entire process. So we’re in a new place, new city, new people; people behave differently there, inasmuch as they’re Nigerians there, obviously, we’re not only trying to cater to the Nigerian audience. We’re trying to conquer globally; it’s not been easy, but we thank God. We thank God that we have good heads on our shoulders. And we’re open to partnerships—I feel like the key thing that has helped so far in this journey are collaborations.”

Apart from collaborations with platforms like OkayAfrica, Mohammed says team members on the ground form part of the community it takes “to raise a great child,” like Block Party.

With another U.S. event planned with DJ Maphorisa and a new segment of their Lagos party titled Respect the DJ, it’s very much clear that the Block Party intends to take over the world. Surely they have the required tools—it’s only a matter of time.

Mainland Block Party, the organization behind some of Nigeria's biggest parties, will host its New York event for the second consecutive year later this month. Tagged The Machine and The Big Apple, the event is scheduled for July 26. It will merge the vibrant energy of Nigeria's most celebrated party with the thrum of the city that never sleeps, with OkayAfrica joining as a collaborator as part of its 15th-anniversary celebrations.

This year’s block party will be headlined by Nigerian superstar ODUMODUBLVCK, continuing a fruitful partnership between the rap artist and the organizers. Earlier this year, the Mainland Block Party was the main collaborator as Odumodu embarked on the “Greatest School Tour Ever,” of about a dozen universities in Nigeria, a rare feat in a country where extensive touring has nearly gone extinct due to economic and security reasons.

Arguably the biggest rap artist in Nigeria, with viral hits like “Declan Rice” and “Cast” with Shallipopi, Odumodu has built his bonafides in recent years as an irreverent hit-maker, combining grimy lyricism and slang with groovy beats and a melodic bent. He’s also an energetic performer, giving concert attendees and partygoers something to look forward to. The New York event will be an opportunity to take his synergy with the Mainland Block Party to higher heights.

Mainland Block Party is known for setting up charged atmospheres, featuring lively DJ sets, raucous hypeman-led chants, and memorable live performances. Superstar artists like Seyi Vibez, Ruger, and Victony, as well as South African DJ Tyler ICU, have headlined events. Last summer’s New York event had Zlatan and BOJ on the bill.

This year’s collaboration with OkayAfrica represents a significant milestone as the platform commemorates 15 years of curating and covering African music and culture, bringing together two solid organizations committed to elevating culture and connecting the diaspora to the motherland.

“Bringing The Machine to New York is special for us as a celebration of how far the culture has come," says Tobi Mohammed, founder of the Mainland BlockParty series and managing partner at The Plug. "Mainland BlockParty has always been about connection, and doing this with OkayAfrica, a platform that’s been pushing the culture globally, makes it even more powerful. It’s about bringing our homegrown energy to a city that knows all about movement and momentum.”

In addition to Odumodu, the event will feature New York’s top DJs, MCs, and special surprise guests.

Nigerian music icon Olamide Adedeji, widely celebrated as “Baddo”, hosted an exclusive breakfast listening session on Thursday, June 19, 2025, to unveil his highly anticipated eleventh studio album, Olamidé.

The intimate event, held at a luxury venue in Lagos, was produced in partnership with The Breakfast Club, an exciting platform that curates unique early-day breakfast and music experiences, and is one to watch on the Lagos social scene.

A Morning of Music, Culture, and Connection

Guests were treated to a first and immersive physical listening of Olamidé featuring standout tracks like “Indika” (with Dr Dre & Spinall), “99” (with Asake, Seyi Vibez, Young Jonn, and Daecolm), “LuvaLuvah” (To mention a Few).

Produced by hitmakers including Eskeez, Semzi, Yung Willis, and Spinall, the album reflects Olamide’s evolving artistry, blending Afrobeats, street-hop, and global sounds into a bold sonic statement.

Family, Friends & Colleagues grace the event.

Adding to the warmth of the occasion, Olamide’s wife and children were present, making it a truly personal celebration. The event drew notable figures. From music, sports, and entertainment, including Super Eagles stars Victor Osimhen and Victor Boniface, football legend Obafemi Martins, and fellow artists Fireboy DML, Odumodublvck, Lil Kesh, DO2DTUN, Toolz, ID Cabasa, and Elozonam.

Key influencers, media personalities, and industry stakeholders round off the guest list, creating a vibrant cross-section of Nigeria’s creative community.

Powered by The Breakfast Collective Club (TBC)

The partnership with The Breakfast Club helped shape the event’s fresh, morning-centric vibe, blending good music, great company, and signature breakfast and coffee experiences that set the tone for a new kind of listening event in Lagos.

It’s a collaboration that signals The Breakfast Club as a fresh force in the city’s lifestyle and entertainment space.

A Social Media Moment

Hosted by Bisola Aiyeola & VJ Adam, highlights from the event were posted across social platforms, with guests sharing snippets of performances, heartfelt speeches, and the dynamic atmosphere that defined the morning.

Olamide described Olamidé as “a project from the heart”, “a celebration of where I’ve been, where I am, and where I’m going.”

Olamidé is now streaming across major platforms, with a formal album launch.

Concert and international tour dates to be announced soon.

With backing from YBNL Nation and Empire, the album is making waves globally.

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Nigerian rapper Odumodublvck has sparked conversation online after a video surfaced showing him confronting fast-rising artist Wavestar at a recent event.

The viral clip, which began making rounds on social media on Monday, June 16, 2025, captured a tense moment between the Declan Rice hitmaker and the upcoming act, who is known to be closely associated with rapper Blaqbonez.

In the footage, Odumodublvck expressed his displeasure over what he considered a show of disrespect from Wavestar, who reportedly failed to acknowledge him with a greeting. Addressing him in a firm tone, Odumodublvck reminded the younger artist of the industry’s culture of respect for one’s seniors.

"Why didn’t you greet me? Don’t do that again in your life. Next time when you see your elders, you greet," Odumodublvck warned.

The video has since gone viral, sparking mixed reactions online. While some social media users sided with Odumodublvck, others argued the confrontation could have been handled privately.

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The 2025 Headies Awards brought together artists and entertainers from across the continent for a night of music, fashion, and recognition. Held in Lagos, the show featured performances, tributes, and appearances that marked another major moment for African music and culture.

The night opened with Blaqbonez performing ‘Like Ice Spice,’ followed by Ayomaff with ‘Dealer‘ and Qing Madi with ‘American Love.’

The Orchestra Choir followed with a vocal performance. Odumodublvck performed Pity This Boy,’ and LAX followed with ‘Caro.’ During his set, Juma Jux stepped down from the stage for a sweet moment with his wife, joining her in a short choreography, that made one of the night’s most heartwarming scenes.

Performances continued with Shallipopi‘s ‘Cast’ and ‘Laho,’ keeping the energy high throughout the evening.

The red carpet featured appearances by the newly weds Juma Jux and Priscilla Ojo, Chioma Goodhair, Waje, Liquorose, Farouq Oreagba, Annie Macaulay, AY Makun, Bovi, and more celebrities.

 

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King of Steez (Farouq Oreagba) made a striking appearance, while Annie Macaulay walked the stage in a bold look before presenting an award.

 

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Comedy legends AY Makun and Bovi brought light moments to the show, adding humour and presence to the evening.

 

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Kunle Remi and Bambam brought full Odogwu and Achalugo vibes as they presented the award for Best Vocal Performance (Male), adding flair and elegance to the stage.

 

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One emotional moment came when Tems’ mother presented an award, which Tems won for Best Recording of the Year.

 

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The emotions swelled once more when the family of the late Mohbad stepped forward to receive his posthumous award for Best Street Hop Artist. His wife gave a short moving speech and a tribute that celebrated his life and music.

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Davido made an appearance during the show, and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo–Olu was also present.

 

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As the evening drew to a close, Flavour took the stage for a performance that marked the end of the ceremony. His rich voice and commanding presence brought the night full circle, leaving the audience with a lingering sense of pride, unity, and celebration.

 

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See more highlights below:

 

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Just 72 hours to go until you’ll be vibing to ‘5IVE,’ the highly anticipated fifth studio album from Afrobeats superstar Davido.

Setting the tone for the big release, Davido unveiled the official tracklist on Instagram today, and it’s packed with 17 tracks featuring genre-spanning, cross-continental collaborations. Expect guest appearances from Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Victoria Monét, Chris Brown, Latin pop sensation Becky G, and fellow Nigerian stars Chike, ODUMODUBLVCK, Omah Lay, and Victony.

Davido has already teased a few tracks ahead of the drop — ‘Be There Still,,’ ‘Awuke,’  and ‘Funds‘ — each giving fans a taste of what’s to come.

Sharing the tracklist on Instagram, he wrote:

“Legacy is not what you leave behind, but what you breathe into the future. 72 hours away! Thank you for the love & support.”

Adding to the momentum, Davido is currently on his ‘5IVE’ city tour, hitting Los Angeles, New York (where he linked up with the Chess in Slums kids), Atlanta, Paris, and London.

Click below to see the full tracklist.

 

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