The sensational singer had a listening party for his debut album, and there are takeaways from it.
Nigerian singer, songwriter, and performer Ikuforiji Olaitan Abdulrahman, better known as Oxlade, is set to release his debut album, ‘Oxlade From Africa‘, and we already have some insights about it.
The Epe-born star, whose global smash ‘Ku Lo Sa’ opened an international market for him and has kept him on the road for the longest time, is tying his new album back to his roots — Africa. The album, which is short and concise, sees some heavyweight features and is scheduled to be released on Friday, September 20, 2024. Here are five things you should expect from Oxlade’s new album, Oxlade From Africa.
1. Short and Concise
In an era where attention spans are shrinking—likely due to the overwhelming amount of music released daily—Oxlade has crafted a compact project that caters to this new reality. Rather than the typical 14-track album, Oxlade has deliberately kept the tracklist much shorter. According to him, both his team and a divine influence encouraged this decision, making the album concise yet impactful.
2. Features
The album boasts some highly anticipated collaborations. Among them is a long-awaited feature from Wande Coal, whom Oxlade affectionately refers to as “his dad.” Wande Coal, widely considered a blueprint for modern Afrobeats and Afro-pop, is someone Oxlade deeply respects. The album also features Jamaican superstar Popcaan, and according to Oxlade, this collaboration came together seamlessly—Popcaan delivered his verse in just five days.
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3. Album-Title Song
Every great album has a defining moment, and for Oxlade From Africa, that moment comes with the album-titled track, ‘OFA.‘ Traditionally, when artistes name a song after the album, it’s a standout, and Oxlade doesn’t disappoint. This track is bound to be one of the highlights, embodying the essence of the entire project.
4. Staying True to His Identity
On this project, Oxlade remains authentic to his Afrocentric sound. He doesn’t stray far from his roots, keeping the album grounded in the Afrobeat spectrum. There’s minimal experimentation, showcasing a refined sound that fans have come to love from him.
5. More Intentional Misspellings
Following the success of ‘Ku Lo Sa,’ an Africanised twist on the word “Closer,” Oxlade is continuing with this unique branding. His collaboration with Wande Coal on the album follows the same trend. While the song’s English title would normally be “As Soon As I,” Oxlade opts for an Africanized spelling. He’s made it clear that this approach is becoming part of his signature style, so fans should expect more creative spellings in the future.
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