Ikuforiji Olaitan Abdulrahman (born April 22, 1997) is a highly talented Nigerian singer and songwriter known professionally as Oxlade and has made a significant mark in the music industry. He is signed to Troniq Music and has also gained recognition on an international scale, with affiliations to Epic Records in France and Fuenlabrada Records in the UK.
Oxlade’s musical journey to stardom took a significant leap with the release of his hit song “Away,” which garnered widespread acclaim and even earned a spot on Rolling Stone’s prestigious list of the 50 best songs in 2020. This achievement catapulted him to prominence and showcased his exceptional musical prowess.
In a testament to his rising star status, Oxlade was named the inaugural Pandora Africa’s Next Artist in July 2022, solidifying his position as a key figure in the African music scene. With a bright future ahead, Oxlade continues to captivate audiences with his soulful voice and distinctive style, leaving an indelible mark on the global music landscape.
Early Life
Oxlade, 27 years of age, was born and raised in Surulere, a bustling residential area of Lagos, Nigeria. Tragically, his early life was marked by the loss of his mother when he was just three years old. In the absence of his mother, Oxlade was lovingly raised by his father and grandmother, who provided him with the care and support he needed during his formative years.
Oxlade’s early life experiences, characterized by the loss of his mother and the academic background of his family,
contributed to shaping his determination and drive to pursue his dreams within the music world.
Education
Oxlade’s family background had an academic influence, as his father was a lecturer at Lagos State University. Inspired by his father’s academic career, Oxlade pursued higher education at the same institution, enrolling to study History and International Relations. He spent two years dedicated to his academic pursuits.
However, Oxlade’s deep passion for music and burning desire to make his mark in the music industry eventually led him to make a life-changing decision. He dropped out of Lagos State University to dedicate himself to his musical career. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of his journey toward becoming the celebrated artist known as Oxlade.
Career
Oxlade’s career is a testament to his exceptional talent and dedication to the music industry. His journey took a significant turn in 2018 when he caught the attention of A&R executive Bizzle Osikoya following the release of “Mamiwota” by Blaqbonez. This pivotal moment led to bagging a management deal with The Plug Entertainment and a record deal with Troniq Music, marking the formal start of his music career.
In 2020, Oxlade achieved a major breakthrough with the release of the music video for “Away,” a song that garnered a staggering 3 million streams within just 24 hours. This achievement catapulted him into the spotlight and solidified his status as a promising and rising star in the Nigerian music scene.
The following year, in 2021, Oxlade collaborated with Dolapo and Ms. Banks on “Interest,” earning his first entry on the Capital XTRA Airplay Chart at number eleven. He continued to make waves with “Ojuju,” which earned him a second entry on the UK Afrobeats Singles Chart, peaking at number thirteen on Nigeria’s TurnTable Top 50 weekly chart.
In 2022, Oxlade released “Want You,” his first single of the year, showcasing his artistic versatility. He followed this with “Ku Lo Sa” on June 10, 2022, a track that debuted at number 11 on the Official Afrobeats Chart-Top 20 and climbed to number 8 on the TurnTable Nigeria Top 100 chart.
Oxlade’s influence extended beyond his music as he provided promotional support to “Seluna” by Snazzy the Optimist, with whom he collaborated as a songwriter. His single “Ku Lo Sa” earned the prestigious Listener’s Choice award at the Soundcity MVP Awards.
May 19, 2023, marked another milestone in Oxlade’s career with the release of “Ovami,” featuring the talented Nigerian singer Flavour. This track is part of his upcoming studio album, “Oxlade from Africa,” and the music video directed by Nigerian director Pink was also released on the same day.
Oxlade continued to captivate audiences with his music, evidenced by his July 2023 release of “Intoxycated,” a track featuring UK rapper Dave. His journey in the music industry continues to ascend, and he remains a remarkable artist with a promising future.
Discography
- Oxygene
- Eclipse
- Away
- DKT
- Ojuju
- Want You
- Ku Lo Sa
- Ovami with Flavour
- Intoxycated ft. dave
Awards & Nomination
- All Africa Music Awards
- The Headies Awards
- African Entertainment Awards USA
- All Africa Music Awards
- Soundcity MVP Awards Festival
Personal Life
The singer isn’t dating right now, and He is believed to be currently single and not in any relationship. He recently said he broke up with a girl he loved before becoming famous. While he openly admitted to seeing the girl while she was still in a relationship with her boyfriend, and even predicted that their romance was “doomed to fail,” their demeanor remained surprisingly positive.
Despite recognizing the inherent toxicity in the relationship, Oxlade asserts that he invested genuine effort into making it work. However, as fate would have it, he was forewarned that he would become distant once he achieved fame. Ultimately, the girl chose to return to her previous partner, influenced by this revelation.
In February 2022, a sex tape featuring the musician started circulating online. According to reports, Oxlade’s tape was inspired by a Snapchat streak he and a female friend made. Other pictures of the well-known singer were in his underwear beside the tape. When users communicate directly with a buddy on Snapchat for several days, they are said to be on a streak.
The pictures and video were allegedly then posted online by his pal. Later, the performer expressed his regrets to fans and the unidentified woman on the recording. He wrote on Twitter that he wasn’t the type of person to advertise his company and that he had been duped. The singer continued claiming that the woman in the video did not merit the publicity she received due to the tape’s release.
Social Media
- Instagram: @oxladeofficial
- Twitter(X): @oxladeofficial
Net Worth
Oxlade’s net worth is reported to be $100k, making him one of the most successful young artists.
