Fatimah Otunsanya
Nigerian Rapper Tochukwu “Odumodublvck” Ojogwu has claimed that age manipulation is a common but largely unspoken practice in the Nigerian music industry, as artistes attempt to boost their marketability and secure deals.
The rapper, who said this during a livestream with streamer Enzo, suggested that both emerging and established acts often understate their real ages to align with industry expectations and attract opportunities.
According to him, the pressure stems from a perception among investors and record labels that younger artistes are more commercially viable.
“A lot of artistes reduce their age because of record labels and partnership deals. You know a lot of investors in the music industry wouldn’t want to invest in older artistes,” he said.
The rapper explained that this bias has quietly shaped decisions across the industry, influencing how artistes present themselves publicly in order to fit into preferred age brackets for endorsements and contracts.
Reflecting on his own journey, Odumodublvck noted that he has chosen a different approach, placing less emphasis on age-related expectations.
“I am 32 and I don’t bother myself to get things right at this age,” he added.
