Today we’d like to introduce you to Odi Odu. Them and their team share their story with us below:
This Odu is an American songwriter and rapper, born in Chicago raised in Atlanta. He is also the founder and CEO of Black Conscious LLC, a lifestyle brand dedicated to Afro-Centricity specializing in fashionable couture.
The Black Conscious brand was conceived from custom stitching durags, embroidery, and silk-screening shirts before expanding in other areas such as consulting, publishing, and running a website. This Odu being from a fashion-based city, Chicago, the brand has become more than just a good positive statement company.
Black Conscious – has been immersed in the fashion industry participating in several fashion shows, private events, and vendor events across America – including but not limited to events in: New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Illinois, and Georgia. Black Conscious mission is to evoke through sight and sound. Black Conscious was founded in Decatur Georgia out of passion for and necessity for a new cultured-based brand similar to FUBU by Daymond John but with the rhetoric of a Marcus Garvey, Huey P Newton, Fred Hampton and or Bobby Seale.
This Odu/Black Conscious has been featured on Brooklyn-based DTF Radio’s Air It Out Show, New Jersey’s Time 2 Grind Radio’s Hip Hop 101 The A&R Report, Chicago based Media EchoRhythm 306 Podcast, & Newark Nj 8 Squad Rebel Radio’s Queens Link Radio Show. He is also featured on DJ Dagwood’s Mixtape The Independent and most recently on Urban Grind TV.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I would say starting and running a successful brand, I personally have had a few challenges: fear – being the biggest challenge that I’ve had to deal with. Whether that being from being scared of not being able to fulfill purchase orders, expanding the brand, not meeting deadlines and or sales goals. It can be tough to take the leap of faith that a product you created will sustain you more than the safety of a 9 -5 job. The risk to reward ratio can be a bit much at times for the weak.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am also an artist and curator; my stage name is This Odu. My stage name is ode to my ethnic background from Nigeria, formally Yoruba meaning This Path. My freshman album, The Prelude to Music, debuted in 2016 with hit single Pro Black gaining over 20k hits on his social media, attracting attention from indie radio personality and label owner James “Big Seven” Stokes, where This Odu appeared on Time2Grind Radio. Prelude to Music was the beginning of a professional musical journey through production and studio recording.
Since Prelude, I have produced six additional albums. The second album, La Musica embodies progress as a musician/singer-songwriter, landing appearances on the Indie radio station promotional circuit in Brooklyn, Queens Newark and Chicago. I has released three additional albums: Music Interlude and Melodia represent change, where Postlude of Music bookends an era of expression. His latest album, Nostalgia is a new approach to a musical journey reminiscent of Prelude to Music showcasing Chicago and Atlanta roots. Face the Music, the latest release dives into more personal situations including separation from my only son.
I would say my most proud accomplishment is my son whom has heavily influenced my next upcoming release Exile. Exile is a lot like Face the Music with a more in depth look into my life. Touches on going through a separation from my wife and not being around my son among other things. Staying true to my core audience, I touch on Afro-Centric entrepreneurship with singles like Boss’N, Building An Army and Pose 2 Do.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I would say I see the industry moving more online in the next few years. I think traditional shopping in brick and mortar are dying out. E-stores and E-fashion shows are the new waves especially post-pandemic.
Contact Info:
- Email: blackconsciousllc@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.1blackconscious.com
- Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/1blackconscious
- Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/1blackconscious
- Twitter: https://www.Twitter.com/1blackconscious
- Youtube: https://www.YouTube.com/BlackConsciousLLC
Image Credits:
Photography by ILL Flix https://www.instagram.com/illflix https://www.ILLFlix.com
