For Oshe Naija, our celebration of the sounds of Nigeria, we asked some of the country’s most pioneering acts to reflect on how their home cities and states helped shape their own music— and the Nigerian soundscape. “Abuja has a unique cultural crossroads of various ethnic groups and tradition,” rapper ODUMODUBLVCK tells Apple Music. “It's such a melting pot of cultures from all over the country, with a splash of modernity and tradition. The city has such a communal and cultural heritage that is reflected in its people, its food, and languages, making it a place where you can experience the richness of Nigeria in one location. The presence of different cultures and ethnic groups adds a distinct flavour to the music and the general vibe. This mixture of culture continues to foster a genuine spirit of unity and tolerance—Abuja is unique to me for that. Especially as someone who’s not originally from there. I’ve lived there and I can call Abuja my state because I have a sense of belonging.” “Growing up in Abuja has deeply influenced my music and career,” the rapper continues. “It’s a hub for rap music. Drums are always present, [as are] strings, and even in my music you can still hear all those elements. Musicians in Abuja are always open to experimenting with new sounds, play with everything. There are elements that are yet to be discovered. The diversity allowed me to experiment with different sounds. It also taught me resilience and the importance of staying true to myself, which is something I carry into my music. My lyrics often reflect the diverse experiences of the people in Abuja, from the struggles of daily life to the joy of cultural celebrations.” Here, ODUMODU’s chosen tracks that reflect Abuja’s varied cultural landscape, and his own journey as an artist, including 2Baba, P-Square, Ruggedman, Dagrin, BlackMagic, Faze, Mr Eazi, Tomi Obanure and more. “Each song tells a story, whether it’s about the struggles of urban life, the beauty of our traditions, or the excitement of creating something new. These are the sounds that have inspired me, and they continue to influence my music as I strive to represent Abuja on the global stage.”