“Hip-Hop Respects Skill, Not Wealth or Streams” – Reminisce Weighs In on Odumodublvck vs Blaqbonez Debate

Veteran Nigerian rapper Reminisce has weighed in on the ongoing supremacy battle between Odumodublvck and Blaqbonez, asserting that in hip-hop, success is measured by lyrical skill—not wealth or streaming numbers.

Speaking on a recent episode of the On The Record podcast alongside fellow rapper Vector, the Local Rappers hitmaker emphasized that the true currency of respect in hip-hop is talent and authenticity.

“Hip-hop is the only genre that doesn’t respect numbers or money,” Reminisce said. “No matter how much money you make as a rapper, you can’t buy [respect]. That’s one thing I love about hip-hop. You have to earn it. People have to say, ‘Vector is a good rapper, he’s a legend.’”

Referencing the high-profile rap feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake, Reminisce explained that despite Drake’s global popularity and commercial dominance, Lamar was widely seen as the winner due to his lyrical prowess.

“If you like, see 5 trillion streams, if you like name your album ‘the greatest.’ Nobody cares,” he added. “Rap respects pure skills. That’s why Kendrick Lamar is widely adjudged the winner of his battle with Drake. Even though the commercial margin between them is wide, hip-hop is about skillset—and Lamar delivered.”