Octavian Rapper Update: Here's What Happened
Octavian Rapper Update: Here's What Happened
Octavian Oliver Godji, the French-British rapper known for his BBC Sound of 2019 win, faced a major career setback in November 2020 when his label Black Butter Records dropped him amid domestic abuse allegations from ex-girlfriend Hana (stage name Emo Baby). He was cleared by authorities after investigation, but the scandal halted his album ALPHA release and led to widespread fan backlash, including over 10,000 Spotify blocks overnight. Since then, Octavian has maintained a low profile, occasionally teasing new music without fully rebounding to his peak fame as of May 2026.
Early Rise to Fame
BBC Sound of 2019 award winner Octavian burst onto the UK music scene in 2018 with his breakout single "Papi Chulo," which amassed over 14 million Spotify streams within months of release. Born in Paris and raised in London, the rapper blended trap, afroswing, and melodic production, earning comparisons to artists like J Hus and Dave. His debut EP Mixtape topped UK urban charts, signaling a meteoric ascent with sold-out shows at Wireless Festival and collaborations with heavyweights like Skepta.
By mid-2019, Octavian's streaming numbers exceeded 500 million across platforms, per industry trackers like Chartmetric, positioning him as a cornerstone of the evolving UK rap landscape. Quotes from mentors praised his "unique sound fusion," with producer Steel Banglez noting in a 2019 Complex interview: "Octavian's got that raw energy-14 million on one track doesn't lie." This period marked his peak, with Black Butter Records signing him for a lucrative deal projected to yield multi-platinum sales.
- 2018: "Papi Chulo" debuts, hits 14M+ Spotify streams.
- 2019: Wins BBC Sound of 2019; EP charts at No. 1 Urban.
- Mid-2019: 500M+ total streams; Wireless Festival headline.
- Key collab: "Lamborghini" with Skepta, 20M+ YouTube views.
The 2020 Abuse Allegations
On November 11, 2020, Hana publicly accused Octavian of physical and emotional abuse spanning their three-year relationship via Instagram videos and posts, claiming incidents including a hammer attack, death threats, and pressure for an abortion after her 2019 pregnancy. She alleged the abuse began post-abortion in summer 2019, with a specific balcony door incident leaving her bruised and lip burst. These claims surfaced strategically one day before his ALPHA album drop, amplifying media frenzy.
Black Butter responded swiftly on November 12, 2020, stating: "We at Black Butter have taken the decision not to continue working with Octavian and we will not be releasing his album. We do not condone domestic abuse of any kind and have suggested Octavian seeks professional help." PR firms Technique Publicity and Pattern Publicity also severed ties, while Spotify data showed 10,000+ users blocking him overnight, slashing projected ALPHA sales from 50,000 first-week estimates to under 5,000.
| Timeline Event | Date | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Hana's pregnancy & first alleged abuse | Summer 2019 | Relationship turns toxic |
| Instagram allegations posted | Nov 11, 2020 | Album hype derails |
| Label drops Octavian | Nov 12, 2020 | ALPHA scrapped |
| Spotify blocks surge | Nov 12-13, 2020 | 10K+ users block |
Octavian's Response and Legal Clearance
Octavian denied all claims in now-deleted Instagram stories, calling them "grossly distorted" and from an "obsessed" ex, stating: "Liars can't lie forever... I broke up with her a couple of times. Right now we're gonna deal with it legally." He emphasized no visible abuse in videos and positioned himself as the victim of timed sabotage. In a BBC statement, he added: "I wholly deny Hana's allegations... I have not been violent or coercive towards Hana, and I am not a misogynist."
By November 2023, the Met Police and Crown Prosecution Service confirmed no further action against Octavian after a three-year probe, effectively clearing him. Hana later issued a statement acknowledging the outcome, though tensions lingered. Post-clearance, Octavian announced expecting a daughter in a reflective post, apologizing for past "rude and disrespectful" behavior: "Deepest apologies to those hurt."
- Nov 2020: Initial denials via IG stories.
- 2020-2023: Police investigation spans three years.
- Nov 2023: Official clearance, no charges.
- 2024: Fatherhood announcement with apology.
Career Aftermath and Hiatus
Following the 2020 drop, Octavian announced his music industry exit on June 30, 2020-predating full scandal details-via social media, citing burnout amid rising pressures. Despite clearance, major labels shied away; Sony collaborators quietly withdrew, and streams plummeted 70% year-over-year per 2021 SoundCloud analytics. He teased a September mixtape in 2024 with "Revenge" video, but no full release materialized by May 2026.
As of 2025, booking agency MN2S lists him as active with "huge following," yet live shows remain sparse-only three UK gigs logged since 2021 via Songkick data. Facebook updates as recent as May 19, 2024, show profile activity, but Instagram posts are sporadic. Industry insiders estimate his net worth at £1.2M, down from £3M pre-scandal projections, with 316K Facebook likes stagnant since 2022.
"The truth is coming. Don't beg friend after." - Octavian, Instagram response, Nov 2020
Industry Impact and Stats
The scandal highlighted music's abuse allegation handling, inspiring BBC's 2024 doc "Music's Dirty Secrets," where Hana discussed silencing attempts like a £20,000 offer. UK rap saw a 15% rise in blocked artists post-2020 per Spotify transparency reports, with Octavian's case cited in 25% of domestic abuse industry discussions. His streams recovered to 80M annually by 2025, but chart peaks never resurfaced.
- Pre-scandal: 500M+ streams, top urban charts.
- Post-drop: 70% stream drop; 10K Spotify blocks.
- 2025: Active on booking rosters, low gigs.
- Net worth: £1.2M (down 60%).
Key Collaborations and Discography
Octavian's catalog, though paused, includes gems like "Lamborghini" with Skepta (20M+ views) and "New Look" featuring Skepta and Baka Not Nice. His Mixtape (2019) holds 100M+ streams, with afrobeat influences driving 40% of plays in Europe per Spotify Wrapped data.
| Track | Year | Streams (M) | Feat. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Papi Chulo | 2018 | 14+ | - |
| Lamborghini | 2019 | 20+ | Skepta |
| New Look | 2019 | 15 | Skepta, Baka |
| Move It | 2019 | 10 | - |
Public Perception Shift
Fan sentiment flipped post-2020, with #BoycottOctavian trending (50K+ tweets peak Nov 13), but clearance softened views-2024 polls on Reddit's r/UKDrill show 60% believing his denial. Hana's BBC appearance reframed discourse, yet Octavian's apology post-gained 100K+ likes, signaling partial redemption.
Statistically, UK rap scandals like this correlate with 25-40% long-term stream loss, per 2025 MIDiA Research, aligning with Octavian's trajectory. His story underscores accountability pressures in hip-hop, where 1 in 5 rising stars face similar PR crises annually.
(Word count: 1428)
Key concerns and solutions for Octavian Rapper Update Heres What Happened
Is Octavian still making music?
Yes, Octavian remains musically active as of 2025, with MN2S booking him and 2024 teases like "Revenge," though no major releases since Mixtape. His Facebook page posts updates, indicating ongoing creative work despite reduced visibility.
Was Octavian ever convicted?
No, Octavian faced no conviction; the three-year Met Police investigation ended in 2023 with clearance and no further action confirmed by authorities.
Why did Black Butter drop him?
Black Butter dropped Octavian on November 12, 2020, hours after Hana's allegations, explicitly stating they do not condone domestic abuse and shelving ALPHA.
What's Octavian doing in 2026?
As of May 2026, Octavian maintains a low profile with occasional social media and booking availability, focusing on family after announcing his daughter; no confirmed tours or albums.
Did Octavian quit music?
Octavian announced an exit in June 2020 amid burnout, but returned sporadically; he's listed for bookings and teases projects, not fully retired.
Who is Octavian's ex?
Hana, aka Emo Baby (@emobaby4real), dated Octavian from 2017-2020; she shared abuse claims and later a post-clearance statement.