Oxlade, whose real name is Ikuforiji Olaitan Abdulrahman, was born on April 22, 1997. He is widely recognized as one of Nigeria’s standout Afro-fusion artists, known for his emotive voice and unique blend of Afrobeats, R&B, and gospel-inspired sounds. His rise to fame came through breakout songs like Away and the global hit Ku Lo Sa.
Born and raised in the Surulere and Mushin neighborhoods of Lagos, Oxlade experienced hardship early in life after losing his mother at the age of three. He was subsequently raised by his father, a lecturer at Lagos State University, alongside his grandmother. Although he later enrolled at the university to study History and International Relations, he eventually left school after two years to fully dedicate himself to music.
Oxlade’s musical roots began in the church choir, where he developed his vocal abilities. He later uploaded songs to platforms such as SoundCloud, which helped him attract industry attention around 2018. His first major exposure came after featuring on Blaqbonez’s hit track Mamiwota in 2018.
His mainstream breakthrough arrived in 2020 with the release of his debut project Oxygene, which included the successful single “Away.” The song earned international praise and was later listed among the best songs of 2020 by Rolling Stone.
In 2022, Oxlade achieved global recognition with Ku Lo Sa, a viral sensation on TikTok that significantly expanded his international audience. The success of the track also contributed to his selection as Pandora Africa’s Next Artist.
Oxlade is currently signed to Troniq Music, Epic Records, and Columbia Records. His music reflects deep African influences while showcasing his creativity, vocal versatility, and evolving artistic style.
In 2020, Oxlade released his debut EP Oxygene, featuring tracks such as Away, 'O2,' 'Weakness,' and 'Hold On.' The project blended Afropop, R&B, and neo-soul influences, earning praise for its smooth vocals and emotional depth. “Away” became especially successful, attracting millions of views online and increasing his international profile.
Over the years, Oxlade has released several notable songs, including Sing with Fireboy DML, as well as tracks like 'Angelina,' 'Craze,' 'Causing Trouble,' and 'Want You.'
Oxlade has publicly described himself as single and has occasionally spoken about past relationships before his rise to fame. In early 2022, he also faced widespread online attention after a private video involving him was leaked without consent. Following the incident, the singer publicly apologized and expressed disappointment over the betrayal of his privacy while also addressing the impact the situation had on the woman involved.
Despite personal and professional challenges, Oxlade continues to establish himself as one of Nigeria’s most promising contemporary artists, earning recognition for his talent, versatility, and dedication to creating quality music.
Oxlade is a Nigerian Afrobeat and Alte artist celebrated for his emotional delivery and smooth vocal style. Over the years, he has built a strong reputation through hit songs such as KU LO SA, INTOXYCATED, Away, and Ojuju, all of which have contributed to his growing influence in the global Afrobeats scene.
Some of Oxlade’s most recognized releases include:
KU LO SA, including its original version, the COLORS performance, and a remix featuring Camila Cabello
INTOXYCATED featuring Dave
Away from his debut EP
Ojuju
DKT
ATIGORI
Show Me
ON YOU (iii)
Oxlade has also released successful EP projects that helped establish his sound and artistic identity:
OXYGENE (2020)
Eclipse (2021)
Beyond his solo work, Oxlade has collaborated with several well-known African and international artists. Some of his major features include:
Non Living Thing with Sarkodie
KOLO by Ice Prince
Therapy with Tiwa Savage
Bad Boy alongside Mayorkun
Like Shakira with Vegedream
Nice n' Sweet featuring Ciara and Moliy
Through his unique fusion of Afrobeats, Alte, and R&B influences, Oxlade continues to stand out as one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary African music.
Comments
Axel Bouaziz 5 Aug 2018
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ReplyMegan Fox 28 July 2018
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ReplyMostafa Wahba 10 July 2018
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ReplyZach Roszczewski 15 Jun 2018
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