Popular Nigerian rapper Tochukwu Ojogwu, widely known as Odumodublvck, has made a typically bold claim, asserting that he was single-handedly responsible for introducing English midfielder Declan Rice to Nigerian football fans ahead of his blockbuster transfer to Arsenal.

Speaking in a recent interview discussing the creative inspiration behind his chart-topping track named after the football star, the "Declan Rice" crooner suggested that the player lacked widespread recognition in Nigeria until his name was immortalised in the hit song.

"I introduced Declan Rice to Nigerians. Before I sang about him, nobody knew about him. It was after I sang about him that he blew up, and Arsenal discovered and signed him for over 100 million," Odumodublvck stated.

While the rapper's tongue-in-cheek commentary lightheartedly conflates his musical tribute with the player's professional trajectory, Declan Rice famously transitioned from West Ham United to Arsenal in July 2023 for a landmark £100 million fee, having already established himself as a prominent figure in the English Premier League and international football.

Odumodublvck’s signature bravado quickly sparked amused reactions across social media, blending the worlds of Afrobeats pop culture and European football discourse.

Odumodublvck is well-known for seamlessly blending sports references, football jerseys, and athletic iconography into his musical brand, frequently collaborating with elite sports stars and referencing them in his lyrics.

Released ahead of the midfielder's high-profile club transition, the track Declan Rice became a massive cultural crossover hit, cementing the rapper's unique niche at the intersection of Nigerian street-hop and global sports fandom.

"I introduced Declan Rice to Nigerians. Before I sang about him, nobody knew about him. It was after I sang about him that he blew up, and Arsenal discovered and signed him"

— Odumodublvck https://t.co/txQAW3XfJW

— YabaLeftOnline (@yabaleftonline) November 2, 2026