Nigerian rapper Odumodublvck has ignited fresh debate on the state of hip-hop music in Nigeria after declaring that the genre is no longer thriving.
The controversial statement, shared via his X (formerly Twitter) account, came in reaction to a recently released ranking of Nigerian artists with the highest monthly listeners on Spotify, where no hip-hop artist featured among the country's top 10 most-streamed acts.
In a brief but provocative post, the rapper wrote:
“Hip Hop is dead.”
The remark quickly generated reactions across social media, with music fans and industry observers divided over whether the statement accurately reflects the current state of Nigerian rap music or merely highlights changing listener preferences in the streaming era.
Streaming Rankings Dominated by Afrobeats Stars
The conversation was triggered by Spotify's latest monthly listener figures, which show a strong dominance of Afrobeats and contemporary pop artists.
Leading the chart is Burna Boy with 40.68 million monthly listeners, closely followed by Tems at 40.64 million.
Rema occupies third position with 29.43 million listeners, while Ayra Starr and Wizkid rank fourth and fifth with 16.84 million and 16.81 million monthly listeners respectively.
The rest of the top 10 is made up of Omah Lay, Davido, CKay, Fireboy DML and Asake.
Notably absent from the rankings are dedicated hip-hop and rap artists, a development that appears to have reinforced Odumodublvck's position.
A Familiar Argument in Nigerian Music
The statement echoes a similar sentiment previously expressed by Wizkid, whose remarks about hip-hop's declining influence sparked widespread controversy within Nigeria's music community.
For years, industry stakeholders have debated whether hip-hop has lost commercial ground to Afrobeats, which has evolved into Nigeria's dominant music export and enjoys massive global appeal.
While rap music continues to maintain a loyal audience, many analysts argue that streaming platforms, radio airplay and international demand currently favour melodic Afrobeats sounds over traditional hip-hop records.
Fans Divided Over Rap's Future
Odumodublvck's comment has since generated mixed reactions online.
Some supporters agree that hip-hop no longer commands the mainstream attention it once enjoyed, pointing to streaming numbers and chart performance as evidence. Others argue that the genre remains vibrant but has evolved, with many rappers blending rap elements with Afrobeats, amapiano and alternative sounds to reach wider audiences.
Ironically, Odumodublvck himself is often cited as one of the artists helping to keep Nigerian rap relevant through his fusion of hip-hop, drill, Afrobeats and indigenous influences.
As discussions continue across social media, the debate has once again raised questions about whether hip-hop is truly declining or simply adapting to changing musical tastes and consumption patterns.
Regardless of where fans stand, the latest Spotify rankings highlight one undeniable reality: Afrobeats and contemporary Nigerian pop music continue to dominate streaming platforms both at home and on the global stage.