Since the start of the year, ODUMODUBLVCK has been teasing the arrival of his highly anticipated album, ‘INDUSTRY MACHINE,’ with the same vigour that characterises much of his music. Following up on his 2023 breakthrough album ‘EZIOKWU’ was always going to be a herculean task, but the dedication he’s put into building significant momentum behind his forthcoming album indicates he’s well-prepared for the task.  

Ahead of the release of the album’s lead single, “PAY ME,” a groovy collab with Zlatan and British MC Stormzy that cleverly works a sample of Mama G’s 2000s classic “Make We Jolly” into its orbit, ODUMODUBLVCK did a Drake by releasing a timestamp freestyle titled “2:02 PM IN LONDON (FREESTYLE).” 

The freestyle, which arrived with a music video, sees the rapper tearing through a menacing beat he co-produced with Decs and FK, with the kind of charisma and zest that has gained him renown in the last couple of years. Just a couple of weeks after the freestyle’s release, it’s began going viral, recently topping the Top 200 Nigerian viral Shazam charts. The song has also landed in the top 40 of the Apple Music charts in Nigeria, hinting at its increasing popularity. 

In a more definitive proof of its reach, it’s also begun to catch on on social media, with the phrase ‘If you like gym,’ already trending on a few platforms. The freestyle’s virality, coupled with the release of “PAY ME,” only goes to build even more excitement for ‘INDUSTRY MACHINE,’ which is reportedly set to arrive before the year runs out. 

Listen to “PAY ME” here.