Odeal, whose real name is Hillary Dennis Udanoh, is a British-Nigerian singer and songwriter born on December 13, 1999, in Germany to Nigerian Igbo parents. His childhood was anything but ordinary, as he spent his early years moving between Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Nigeria, giving him a rich multicultural upbringing that would later influence both his personality and his music. From a very young age, Odeal showed a deep love for music, often choosing to sing along to his mother’s CDs instead of watching cartoons. His mother recognized his passion early and encouraged him by buying him a toy microphone, unknowingly nurturing what would become his career. At the age of 14, he moved to Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria, to attend boarding school and live with his father. It was during this period that he discovered a local recording studio, where he began writing and recording his own songs. Even at boarding school, where electronics were restricted, he remained determined, secretly teaching himself music production on Fruity Loops whenever he had the chance. Odeal is known to be a very private person and rarely speaks publicly about his romantic relationships, preferring to let his music express his emotions instead. Many fans believe his songs are inspired by real-life experiences, but he generally keeps those details to himself. Friends and collaborators often describe him as thoughtful, disciplined, and deeply invested in his craft. His multicultural background and experiences living across different countries continue to influence his identity and the emotional depth of his songwriting.
Four: Coffee (Don’t Read Signs)
Coffee (Don’t Read Signs) was released on May 5, 2022, marking Odeal’s first official standalone single of his independent solo era through his own label, OVMBR. Blending silky Afro-R&B melodies with heartfelt lyrics about wanting clear communication in a relationship, the song immediately showcased the smooth vocal style and emotional storytelling that would later become Odeal’s signature. The record made an impressive debut on the UK Official Afrobeats Chart, peaking at No. 11 and earning him his first appearance on the chart, proving he was an exciting new voice in the Afro-R&B space. It has garnered over 59M streams on Spotify and over 2.1M views on YouTube. While it wasn’t a mainstream global hit at the time, Coffee (Don’t Read Signs) received praise from listeners for its laid-back production, relatable songwriting, and refreshing sound, helping Odeal build a loyal fanbase and laying the foundation for later successes. Today, the song is widely regarded as the record that officially launched Odeal’s independent solo journey and introduced many fans to the distinctive sound that has since earned him international recognition.
FYI
- Odeal is the founder of OVMBR, a creative collective and independent label that supports both his music and other creatives, reflecting his commitment to maintaining artistic independence.
Three: Be Easy
“Be Easy” was released on May 26, 2023, as a collaboration between Odeal and Brazy under Odeal’s independent label, OVMBR. The smooth Afro-R&B record is about love, attraction, and wanting a relationship to flow naturally without unnecessary complications. On streaming platforms, “Be Easy” has become one of Odeal’s most successful records, garnering over 84M streams on Spotify, making it his most-streamed song to date and over 1M views on YouTube. The record significantly expanded his international audience and further established him as one of the leading voices in the new wave of Afro-R&B. The song was warmly received by both fans and music critics, who praised its mellow production, effortless chemistry between Odeal and Brazy, and Odeal’s signature emotive vocals. Commercially, the song became one of Odeal’s biggest successes at the time, debuting on the UK Official Afrobeats Chart and eventually peaking at No. 10, while spending 12 weeks on the chart—a clear sign of its sustained popularity.
Two: Coca Body
Serving as Odeal’s most recent single release, “Coca Body” arrived on July 2, 2026, as a collaboration between Dutch rapper Frenna, Odeal and Nigerian superstar Wizkid. The Afro-fusion record combines smooth R&B melodies with infectious Afrobeats rhythms, celebrating confidence, attraction and carefree summer vibes. This track has garnered over 2.3M streams on Spotify and over 250K views on its official music video on YouTube. The chemistry between the three artists was widely praised, with listeners and critics highlighting Odeal’s silky vocals alongside Wizkid’s effortless delivery and Frenna’s energetic performance. Commercially, the song made an impressive debut, entering the Nigerian Spotify Daily Top Songs chart at No. 9 while also charting in the Netherlands, reflecting the strong fanbases of all three artists. Although still a very new release, “Coca Body” has quickly become one of Odeal’s most popular current songs on Spotify, earning spots on major editorial playlists and introducing his music to an even wider international audience through two established collaborators.
Awards/Nominations
- In 2025, Odeal enjoyed a breakthrough year on the awards circuit. At the MOBO Awards, he won Best Newcomer and Best R&B/Soul Act, while also receiving a nomination for Song of the Year with his breakout hit “Soh-Soh.” That same year, he earned a BET Award nomination for Best New International Act and was recognized by Billboard as one of its R&B, Hip-Hop and African Rookies of the Year, celebrating his rapid rise in the global music scene.
- In 2026, Odeal continued his impressive momentum with MOBO Award nominations for Best Male Act and Best R&B/Soul Act, further cementing his place as one of the UK’s leading Afro-R&B artists and highlighting his continued growth on the international stage.
Discography
* OVMBR: Roses (2020)
* Thoughts I Never Said (2023)
* Lustropolis (2024)
* Lustropolis: Melody Avenue (2025)
* The Summer That Saved Me (2025)
* The Fall That Saved Us (2025)
One: Soh-Soh
Cementing its place as Odeal’s biggest hit of all time, “Soh-Soh” was released on July 5, 2024, as the lead single from his EP Sunday At Zuri’s. The Afro-R&B record explores the emotional highs and lows of modern relationships, pairing Odeal’s smooth vocals with heartfelt lyrics and a captivating, laid-back production. It has successfully garnered over 49M streams on Spotify and over 3.4M views on YouTube. The song received widespread praise from music critics and fans alike for its infectious melody, relatable songwriting, and Odeal’s soulful vocal delivery, with many describing it as the track that propelled him into the international spotlight. Commercially, “Soh-Soh” became the most successful song of Odeal’s career, peaking at No. 3 on the UK Official Afrobeats Chart, No. 12 on the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart, and No. 42 on the Nigeria Official Top 100, while spending 13 weeks on the UK Official Afrobeats Chart. The song has also become one of Odeal’s most-streamed records for the original version alone, with an official remix by DJ Maphorisa and Xduppy further extending its global reach. Its massive success introduced Odeal to a worldwide audience, earned him major award recognition, and firmly established him as one of the leading voices of the new Afro-R&B movement, making “Soh-Soh” the defining record of his career so far.
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