Nigerian singer, professionally known as Ikuforiji Olaitan Abdulrahman, known as Oxlade have shared his experience how he had to sleep under bridge and did several menial jobs to survive after leaving home to chase his music career.
He disclosed this while featuring on the Afrobeats podcast, hosted by Adesope Olajide.
He said stating that he has to leave home and survive in doing several menial jobs because his father Sabit Adeyemi Ikuforiji, lecturer at lagos state university was not in support of his music career.
He said, “Back then, I used to sleep at Ojuelegba Barrack Bridge sometimes. I did several menial jobs to survive. I was selling BRT tickets.”
The 26yrs old also noted that if you don’t take your time to do create songs or anything and rush in you will also rush out. “If you don’t take your time to create some songs or create anything, it’s gonna sound rushed. If you rushed in, you rushed out.” He said.
“I am not looking for hits, I am looking for classics. I mean, ‘Away’ is four or three years old, but it’s still banging. ‘Ku Lo Sa’ is a year old, it still bangs. ‘O2’ from nowhere, it just blew up last year. These songs are old, but they still have value right now. I don’t want to mention names but I know of a lot of artists that dropped songs last year that blew up but they are gone now. I’m not trying to impress, I’m trying to leave a long lasting image in your head.” He said.
The Nigerian singer and songwriter is best known for his works with the rapper Blaqbonez, Fireboy DML, Ice Prince and more. His style of Afro Fusion has gained him recognition in the Nigerian music industry and has earned him loyal fan base all over the country and also in Africa.
Oxlade was born and raised in Surulere, Lagos State, Nigeria. His musical journey began at age of 10.
Oxlade first achieved recognition following the release of the single “Mamiwota” by Blaqbonez on which he features. Blaqbonez had heard his song, “Sour” and arranged for them to collaborate. Later on, he worked with Fireboy DML on the song “Sing”. He is currently signed to The Plug Entertainment, Substrate Music and Knostra Music. Oxlade had the “Oxygene EP” to massive acclaim further cementing his place in the Nigerian music scene. He also earned one of the year’s biggest releases with “Away” in 2020. He has since collaborated with Ice Prince on “Kolo”, m.i abaga, and several other big names in the Nigerian music industry.