By Daniel Edu
Nigerian artist Ikuforiji Olaitan Abdulrahman, widely recognized as Oxlade, has candidly shared some of the challenges he faced during his earlier days as a striving musician.
The singer revealed that he experienced periods of homelessness, recounting instances where he slept beneath the bridge in Abulegba, located in Lagos State. He detailed that he took this step after leaving his home due to disagreements with his father, a lecturer who opposed his pursuit of a music career. Oxlade embarked on a journey of survival, engaging in various odd jobs to sustain himself.
Oxlade shared these personal insights during an appearance on the Afrobeats podcast, hosted by Adesope Olajide.
He elaborated, “Back then, I used to sleep at Ojuelegba barrack bridge sometimes. I did several menial jobs to survive. I was selling BRT tickets.”
Regarding his approach to music, Oxlade emphasized the importance of creating meaningful and lasting art rather than just chasing immediate hits. He stressed that his focus lies in crafting timeless tracks that leave a lasting impact, as exemplified by songs like “Away,” “Ku Lo Sa,” and “O2,” which maintain their relevance despite the passage of time.
“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,” Oxlade remarked, reflecting his commitment to creating enduring musical masterpieces.
