Oxlade
Oxlade, born Ikuforiji Olaitan Abdulrahman on April 22, 1997, is a Nigerian singer and composer signed to Troniq Music, Epic Records in France, and Columbia Records in the United Kingdom.
With the release of “Away,” which was placed on Rolling Stone’s list of the 50 best songs of 2020, he came to popularity. In July 2022, Oxlade was named the inaugural Pandora Africa’s Next Artist.
Profile
Name: | Ikuforiji Olaitan Abdulrahman |
Also Known As: | Oxlade |
Date Of Birth: | April 2022, 1997 |
Nationality: | Nigerian |
State Of Origin | Lagos State |
Profession: | Singer |
Early Years and Education
Oxlade is of Yoruba descent and was born and reared in Nigeria’s South West. He was born into a Muslim family, since he is the son of Mr and Mrs Abdulrahman.
His parents gave him the name Ikuforiji Olaitan Abdulrahman when he was born on April 22, 1997.
His early youth was spent in his parents’ home before his mother’s passing. His grandmother and father took care of him after the loss of his mother, and he resided with his grandmother.
His father teaches at Lagos State University as a professor. The artist spent his formative years in Surulere, one of the thriving communities on the Lagos Mainland.
When it came to music, Oxlade was a natural, having discovered his aptitude as a child.
During his elementary and secondary school years, he was notorious for singing and drumming on classroom tables.
His musical talent made him the life of school parties, and his presence was constantly felt.
At the age of eleven, with the assistance of his sound engineer uncle, he recorded his first demo.
Oxlade was inspired to create music by Wande Coal, whom he considers to be his inspiration in the industry.
After the publication of his first demo, he began to pursue music professionally, honing his approach and enhancing his vocals along the way.
Oxlade, who was born on April 22, 1997, is a young Nigerian vocalist with a lovely, musical tone and great delivery.
His decision to pursue a career in music was met with instant condemnation from both his parents and his coworkers, who believed it takes a lengthy path to become a celebrity, especially in the seemingly perpetually competitive Nigerian music industry, which produces new talent every day.
Immediately after he dropped out of Lagos State University, where he was studying history and international relations, his parents stopped caring about his needs.
Oxlade’s middle-class upbringing afforded him access to a quality education. He attended prestigious private schools for his primary and secondary studies.
He graduated from high school in 2013, doing well on the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations (SSCE).
He was granted admission to Lagos State University to study history and international relations after applying.
He attended the institution for two years before leaving to concentrate on his burgeoning music career.
Oxlade is quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with in the industry, a fact backed by means of his contemporary smash and first authentic single “Shugar”; it is safe to say that the ox is here to stay.
In spite of his father’s displeasure, Oxlade pursued music from the time he was in secondary school until he gained admission to Lagos State University.
Oxlade began his career in the church alongside the pioneering cinematographer Naya Effects, where he eventually became the junior choir master, as did many other Nigerian musicians.
By way of his maternal uncles, he was reprimanded for composing secular music.
This also had a huge impact on his church’s athletics. Two years after enrolling in the Department of History and International Relations at LASU, he dropped out.
This action did not sit well with his father, who consequently stopped pandering to his desires.
He ceased recording and was on the verge of abandoning music till Blaqbonez heard his previously released song “Sour” and proposed a collaboration.
Career
Oxlade’s musical career took off once he was featured on Mamiwota by Blaqbonez, which became a popular single. Bizzle Osikoya, an A & R and music professional, observed him.
Plug Entertainment was co-founded by Bizzle Osikoya. He wanted to mentor Oxlade and turn him into a music superstar.
This led to the negotiation of management contracts with The Plug and Troniq Music. Additionally, he negotiated a publishing, licensing, and distribution agreement with The Plug Entertainment.
When he released the solo single Questionnaire, which was a national hit, Oxlade demonstrated to the industry for the second time what he had to offer.
However, Questionnaire’s popularity pales in comparison to Away, the single that propelled Oxlade to international stardom.
Away, which was released in 2020, demonstrated that Oxlade possessed both a soulful voice and superior songwriting skills.
The music video for this song was directed by renowned director TG Omori and premiered on April 13, 2020.
A video of Drake listening to Away leaked in November of 2020, resulting in over three million new song streams within twenty-four hours.
Away, a single from his debut EP Oxygene, reached number 23 on the TurnTable Top 50 chart for the year 2020. The EP was released on March 27th, 2020. DKT, a commercially successful single, then followed.
DMW’s Dammy Twitch directed the music video for DKT, and the song peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Top Triller Global Chart.
Tables Turn featuring Moelogo, Hold On, and 02 are additional singles on the Oxygene EP (the intro track).
Eclipse is Oxlade’s sophomore EP, which he released after months of teasing the release of a second album.
The EP contains Ojuju, one of the most popular songs of 2021. Ojuju gained the artist a second entry on the UK Afrobeats Singles Chart, where it remained for more than five weeks.
Earlier in 2021, Oxlade and Ms Banks were featured on the popular tune “Interest” by Dolapo. The release date of the single was January 2021.
A few months after collaborating with Ice Prince on the song Kolo, which was released in March 2021, he landed his second collaboration.
Oxlade has participated in a number of live music performances in Africa, North America, and Europe. In December of 2018, he performed at the City Of David concert hosted by Davido in Lagos.
In the year 2019, he was one of the opening acts for Wizkid at the London Starboy Fest.
Want You is the singer’s first single of 2022.
The track was released on March 18th. Within days of its release, millions of people listened to the song online.
Meeting Blaqbonez
After listening to one of Miles’s tracks, artist Davido sent him a series of comments on Instagram filled with words of encouragement.
According to him, he was on the verge of abandoning the song because of the messages. His musical style is described as afro-fusion.
Oxlade also dabbles in a bit of the United States of America and soul, all of which have origins in his birthplace, thereby expressing his soul via the song of his country.
With tracks such as Happiness, Ojoro, Questionnaire, the hit “Sing,” and the widely popular “Mamiwota” featuring Blaqbonez.
Private Life
On April 22nd, music star Oxlade turned 25 years old. The singer is rapidly amassing wealth as a result of his work.
This is why he lives in a mansion on Victoria Island and has a garage full of exotic automobiles.
The musician, who is well-known for his love songs, has concealed his relationship status from the public since he is averse to disclosing information about his private life.
However, he is said to be dating an entertainment business female celebrity.
Oxlade is an attractive man who stands five feet tall, has light skin, and wears dreadlocks. His attractiveness and musical talent add to the great number of female admirers he has.
A sex tape featuring the singer Oxlade and a woman named Tamara @ Rachyyveer leaked on the internet, following tiwa savage s*x tape sparking a scandal.
There is a persistent rumor that Oxlade’s girlfriend is Tamara @Rachyyveer, and the s*xtape was leaked to promote his new song for clout purposes.
Discography
Albums and songs
- O2 Oxygene 2020
- Ojuju 2022
- Napona 2022
- Want You 2022
- AWAY 2020
- Pay Me 2021
- Overdose (Remix) 2020
- Shugar 2018
- DKT 2020
- Biou Biou 2022
- Dutty Love 2020
- Interest 2021
- The Thrill 2022
- Sidung Pun It 2022
- Causing Trouble 2019
- Eclipse 2021
- Oxygene 2020
- Unconditionally 2021
- Vacancy 2020
- Greed 2019
- Sisi Caro 2021
- Legend 2019
- Slowly 2022
- African Girl Bad 2021
- All My Love 2020
Awards and Nomination
Oxlade was a candidate for Rookie Of The Year at the 2019 Headies Awards.
The following year, he received a second nomination for Next Rated Artiste, which he lost to compatriot Omah Lay.
He was also nominated for Next Rated Male Artist at the 2020 City People Music Awards.
Net Worth
As one of the most prominent voices in Afrobeats, Oxlade has built a lucrative career on the strength of his singing and songwriting skills.
The vocalist is a common sight at concerts featuring Afrobeats headliners.
He also receives a regular income from his discography royalties.
The latest estimation of Oxlade’s net worth is between $800,000 and $1 million.