Biography
Afro-fusion vocalist Oxlade merges Nigerian musical traditions with R&B and gospel influences. After several years of incremental progress, the catchy “Away” from his 2020 Oxygene EP gained momentum both domestically and across North America. Persistent output followed, yielding a steady stream of polished, groove-oriented singles plus the 2021 Eclipse EP, until global recognition arrived via the enormous 2022 single “Ku Lo Sa,” which registered on charts worldwide and paved the way for his exploratory 2024 debut LP, Oxlade from Africa, fusing R&B, Afro-swing, amapiano, gospel, and coupé-décalé.
Born Ikuforiji Olaitan Abdulrahman in Lagos’s Surulere district, he began singing early after his mother’s death while being raised by his father, a Lagos State University lecturer, and his grandmother. He briefly attended that same university to study history and international relations before committing fully to music. A 2018 guest verse on Blaqbonez’s “Mamiwota” secured Abdulrahman, now recording as Oxlade, a publishing agreement and then a contract with Troniq Music. Features alongside established Nigerian figures Davido and Wizkid expanded his reach, as did initial releases such as “Shugar” and the DJ Tunez collaboration “Causing Trouble.”
The 2020 Oxygene EP and its breakout track “Away” opened doors beyond Nigeria; Drake praised the song, which also appeared on Rolling Stone’s year-end rankings. Oxlade maintained momentum through 2021 with tracks including the smooth “DKT” and the Dolapo and Ms Banks collaboration “Interest,” which entered the U.K. charts, while “Ojuju” from the Eclipse EP and the Ice Prince feature “Kolo” both succeeded. His first Columbia Records U.K. release, “Want You,” arrived in 2022 after the label signed him earlier that year.
A few months later, “Ku Lo Sa” premiered on the German platform ColorsxStudios and became Oxlade’s breakthrough, its soft beat and ringing guitars underpinning ethereal vocals that resonated globally and placed the track across European and North American charts. A Camila Cabello-assisted remix later that year increased his visibility further. Armed with two EPs and an international hit, Oxlade prepared his first album alongside South African producer Spax; the initial results, “Ovami” with Flavour and “Intoxycated” featuring Dave, surfaced in 2023. In the first half of 2024 he sustained anticipation for Oxlade from Africa through a series of short films also called From Africa, in which he collaborated with photographer Mous Lamrabat and entrepreneur Roger Dupé.
Born Ikuforiji Olaitan Abdulrahman in Lagos’s Surulere district, he began singing early after his mother’s death while being raised by his father, a Lagos State University lecturer, and his grandmother. He briefly attended that same university to study history and international relations before committing fully to music. A 2018 guest verse on Blaqbonez’s “Mamiwota” secured Abdulrahman, now recording as Oxlade, a publishing agreement and then a contract with Troniq Music. Features alongside established Nigerian figures Davido and Wizkid expanded his reach, as did initial releases such as “Shugar” and the DJ Tunez collaboration “Causing Trouble.”
The 2020 Oxygene EP and its breakout track “Away” opened doors beyond Nigeria; Drake praised the song, which also appeared on Rolling Stone’s year-end rankings. Oxlade maintained momentum through 2021 with tracks including the smooth “DKT” and the Dolapo and Ms Banks collaboration “Interest,” which entered the U.K. charts, while “Ojuju” from the Eclipse EP and the Ice Prince feature “Kolo” both succeeded. His first Columbia Records U.K. release, “Want You,” arrived in 2022 after the label signed him earlier that year.
A few months later, “Ku Lo Sa” premiered on the German platform ColorsxStudios and became Oxlade’s breakthrough, its soft beat and ringing guitars underpinning ethereal vocals that resonated globally and placed the track across European and North American charts. A Camila Cabello-assisted remix later that year increased his visibility further. Armed with two EPs and an international hit, Oxlade prepared his first album alongside South African producer Spax; the initial results, “Ovami” with Flavour and “Intoxycated” featuring Dave, surfaced in 2023. In the first half of 2024 he sustained anticipation for Oxlade from Africa through a series of short films also called From Africa, in which he collaborated with photographer Mous Lamrabat and entrepreneur Roger Dupé.
Albums
Singles
