This week, Odumodublvck made a statement on the charts, a statement so big that it is being lauded by many as a game-changing moment for Nigerian Hip-Hop/Rap. For a lot of Nigerians, it was a week of discovery as they searched the name “Odumodublvk” on various streaming platforms to hear more about the ALL-CAPS-wielding artiste. But for Teezee AKA Teni Zaccheaus Jr. and the rest of Native Records, it was a case of people catching up to a special artiste.

When asked about the success and marketing strategy used for Odumodublck since he joined Native Recs in October 2022; Seni Saraki, co-President of the label answered, “Any artiste we sign, we let them be themselves. Our job is to provide a platform for them. For Odumodu who is a very big personality, one that truly believes in himself and already had a cult following in Abuja, we just had to amplify that.” As described by Seni Saraki, Native Records is an extension of the NATIVE brand in a record label structure but with its core still being telling African stories. The label inked a one-of-its-kind partnership with Def Jam USA when it launched last year

“Having a relationship with someone like Tunji [President of Def Jam USA] is very important,” Saraki tells TurnTable. “I’m very appreciative of having someone of that experience and taste level, being able to bounce ideas off and create music with one of the best minds of his generation, it’s a blessing to be able to call someone like that a partner.”  

Native Records made history with “Declan Rice” as it became the first Hip-Hop/Rap song by a Nigerian rapper to debut in the top ten since 2021 while the rapper also became the first Nigerian rapper to have the top two songs on a weekly Top Hip-Hop/Rap Songs chart with the aforementioned “Declan Rice” and “Picanto” featuring Zlatan & Ecko Miles. As a result of these remarkable exploits, Teezee AKA Teni Zaccheaus JR earns the title of Executive of the Week.

In this interview, Teezee talks about NATIVE Records, its flagship artiste Odumodublvck, the success of “Declan Rice” and more.

TTC: How long have you been working in music?

Teezee: I’ve been working in music for the majority of my adult life, in terms of years, I don’t know how long it’s been but professionally, I could say maybe since 2012 or 2013.

TTC: As well as the co-founder, you’re also the co-president of Native Records right?

Teezee: Yes.

TTC: So, how long have you held the position of co-president of Native Records?

Teezee: Native Records was created last year, we had a joint venture partnered with Def Jam USA, the first of its kind in Africa, so I would say about a year. But actively since we activated our first artist, OdumoduBlvck which was last October.

TTC: OdumoduBlvck is signed to Native Records and he has released a hit rap song “Declan Rice”, the song is No. 8 on the Official Nigeria Top 100 chart and it’s the first Hip-Hop/Rap song to enter the top 10 in 2023, did the team envision this kind of success when producing and putting out this song?

Teezee: Yes, we did. We have the ambition to be the most successful in everything we do and to reach the highest of highs that we can. With the power of hard work, good ears, and God, we’re not surprised. Instead, we are pleasantly happy with the outcome because we know how hard we worked on it, so we’re glad to reap the rewards.

TTC: Have there been challenges while navigating Odumodu’s sound in a pop-dominated industry?

Teezee: I would say yes and no because I feel like Odumodublvck is a very special artiste in terms of what he brings to the table. He combines the elements of rap, the new sound of Afrobeats with the clarity and uniqueness of his voice; this makes delivery translate to a sound that is universally acceptable to anybody from Nigeria or in the diaspora. So I think he’s well-positioned to be pretty successful in the music industry by God’s grace.

TTC: So, what are some of the immediate plans for Native Records and OdumoduBlvck?

T: For Native records, we’re looking to sign more artistes, we’re looking at female artists in 2023, and we have some other new younger artists to represent Afrobeats in a more unique way that we’re gonna put out. I am going to release more music under my new record label, so it’s a very exciting year for us. We’re still less than a year old, so it is a blessing to be able to do this at the highest level already.