Zhus Jdo, born Joshua Ododionyei, isn't your typical Nigerian artist. With his signature style and explosive energy, he has quickly risen as one of the fastest-growing talents in Nigerian hip-hop. Hailing from the streets of Benin City, Zhus fuses traditional hip-akhop with an authentic local flavor. His breakout tracks "Dump on Dem" and "John Bull" have earned respect from industry heavyweights like Blaqbonez, Odomodublvck, and his childhood hero Erigga. Zhus represents a new wave in Nigerian hip-hop. In this exclusive Deeds Magazine interview, he opens up about his journey, creative process, and what he has in store for 2025!
Deeds Magazine: How exactly did you get started making music?
Zhus Jdo: It all started from listening to music at home as a child. One of my earliest memories is music being played by my uncle. My uncle had this kind of Tupac complex—he would dress up like Tupac and listen to a lot of hip-hop. He wouldn't just play current music; he took me back to the roots—Big Daddy Kane, Rakim. He'd say, "You have to understand hip-hop as a culture."
Growing up, I mixed those influences with my own life experiences, and that's what gave you tracks like "John Bull," "Dump on Dem," and "1 Work." If you listen to these tracks in-depth, you'll understand that I have knowledge of hip-hop as a culture, but I make it in a way that's authentic to someone from my city.
Deeds Magazine: Your hometown seems to have deeply influenced your sound. How has Benin City shaped your creative identity?
Zhus Jdo: Most of my music comes from personal experience, so my city has played a huge role. My environment, my people, even the air I breathe has influenced me. I came to Lagos not so long ago when I got discovered by Cake Bizness, but Benin City is where my sound was born.
Deeds Magazine: There's a distinct energy to your music that sets you apart. You describe yourself as a "god of chaos" with "deep-rooted intelligence." Where does that energy come from?
Zhus Jdo: Strangely, I've never asked myself that question. It just comes to me naturally. I'm not aware of how it happens, I just know it does.
Deeds Magazine: Your raw energy comes through in your songs. Is there any routine you follow before getting into the studio to capture that energy?
 Zhus Jdo: Strangely, I've never asked myself that question. It just comes naturally. I'm not aware of how it happens, I just know it does. That energy is who I am by default. I actually have to pretend not to be on that energy all the time because I have to move with decorum. It's not everywhere that I can truly be myself, or people will say, "Zhus, we can't take you anywhere."
Deeds Magazine: Your visual aesthetic is becoming as recognizable as your sound. How did you develop your signature style?
Zhus Jdo: The ripped singlets became my signature look. That came from an altercation back in my city where my singlet got ripped. When I came home, my sister said, "The ripped singlet still looks good on you." And I started ripping them myself, creating that signature look. For my first video, my team had a whole style planned, but I insisted on wearing my ripped singlet for "John Bull" and "Dump on Dem."
Deeds Magazine: "Dump on Dem" is still making phenomenal waves. What's the story behind that track?
Zhus Jdo: "Dump on Them" is when you come out looking fly, you say "dump on Dem." When you put a nice watch, you "dump on Dem." When people try to treat you like you don't know yourself, you "dump on Dem." It's a response to life in any situation. It was a house slang we'd say when someone was looking fly—"dump on Dem." It started as a house slang. We'd be at parties, throwing money in the air, going crazy and saying "dump on Dem." It fast became more than a song; with a real community behind it. People put it on merch themselves—I don't even have a website selling "Dump on Dem" merchandise, but fans are creating the culture on their own.
It's one of the craziest phenomena that has happened to me. I drive by Lagos and see my face on the back of buses. I'm like, "Is this me?" I asked my team, "Did anyone on put me on the back of buses?" and they say no. That was a valid confirmation I received that the streets is feeling my music this much.”Dump on Dem” is my story that I told in a freestyle, posted, got signed, and it's been happening for me since then. It's amazing.
Deeds Magazine: Several established artists like Blaqbonez and Odomodublvck have acknowledged your work. How does that recognition feel?
Zhus Jdo: It's amazing. Blaqbonez and Odomodublvck are two of the best rappers in Nigeria right now—that's just facts. I've also gotten recognition from Shalli Poppi, Dremo, Erigga, and Dan Dizzy. Erigga, who was my favourite artist growing up, II can still sing all of his songs word for word, even put a cover on my song "John Bull." The entire game has given me kudos—it's amazing.
Deeds Magazine: What advice would you give to young artists from Benin City who are looking up to you?
Zhus Jdo: Steady grinding. That's my message—steady grinding. They just need to keep doing what they're doing. If music is what they want to give their heart to, they should give their heart to it. It's all about making sure you're always putting out the best work you can. There's no blueprint to success, but you have to try every day.
Deeds Magazine: What should your fans expect from you this year?
Zhus Jdo:I already dropped a collaboration with Suki and Flexbee—people who've been supporting me from the beginning. This wasn't about business; these are artists still coming up in the game, and I wanted to put them on even though I'm still coming up myself. We just dropped "Bomb o," and it's doing well.
I've got two more singles to drop before summer, and then maybe during summer, I'll put out a project. Hip-hop isn't big in Nigeria, especially underground hip-hop, but we're building a community. Eventually people will catch up.
Deeds Magazine: How do you see the future of hip-hop in Nigeria, and what's your role in shaping it?
Zhus Jdo: Just keep doing my thing and putting out good music. That's all you can do.
Deeds Magazine: If you could collaborate with any Nigerian artists, who would be on your list?
Zhus Jdo:I'd love to work with my brother Shalli Popi. I'd also like to work with Olamide. Maybe in the future, Odomodublvck and I will collaborate. But music is complicated—sometimes we might make music together and it might never be released.
Deeds Magazine: What's one thing about you that people misunderstand?
Zhus Jdo: Some people see my energy and dismiss my intelligence, but if you listen to my music, you'll know that I'm like Kendrick Lamar if he was born in Benin City. They shouldn't underestimate my intelligence because of where I'm from. Benin City produces some of the smartest people in the world.
Deeds Magazine: What's the best advice you've received from someone in the industry?
Zhus Jdo: When I met Odomodublvck, he told me, "Zhus, everyone's saying we should do a song together, but I see you as an artist who can create a movement for himself and stand on his own two feet. So when we do collaborate, it will be a clash of giants." I took that as "continue to do what you're doing." Everyone's expecting us to do a song together, but he wants me to keep growing so that when we finally collaborate, it goes crazy.
Deeds Magazine: Final question—if you weren't making music, what path do you think your life would have taken?
Zhus Jdo: I'd be in jail. I definitely would have done something that would mess up my life. Music saved me. Music created an avenue to put my creative energy into good use.
"I'd be in jail. Music saved me," Zhus confesses at the end of our conversation. It's a powerful reminder of what drives him. As he continues to “Dump on Dem” while planning his summer project, one thing is clear: Zhus Jdo isn't just making music—he's playing his part in building a movement for Nigerian hip-hop, one chaotic, intelligent verse at a time. Zhus ethos and message to the world is: “Steady Grinding”. Keep putting in the work, and show up every day!
CREDITS
Creative Director: @deedsstudio (@xdeoye)
Photographer: @ThinkAkanni
Stylist: @TeaInChina_
BTS: @mitchefficient
Design: @deedsstudio (@shalemalone)
Journalism: @deedsstudio (@lanacreatesss)
Set assistants: @deedsstudio (@whoisolawale)
Location: @gidiup_ridingacademy
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