Oxlade
Afro-fusion singer Oxlade had been steadily on the rise for several years when the infectious "Away" from his 2020 Oxygene EP found some traction both in his home country of Nigeria and in North America. He continued to work hard, prolifically turning out an array of smooth and rhythmic R&B-infused singles as well as a follow-up EP, 2021's Eclipse, before bolting to stardom with the massive 2022 hit "Ko Lu Sa," which charted around the world.
Born Ikuforiji Olaitan Abdulrahman in the Lagos suburb of Surulere, he took to singing at a young age after losing his mother; he was raised by his father, a lecturer at Lagos State University, and his grandmother. He enrolled for a time at his father's university, studying history and international relations, but eventually chose to pursue his musical passions.
A guest spot on Blaqbonez's 2018 track "Mamiwata" helped Abdulrahman, who now performed as Oxlade, earn a publishing deal, followed by a record deal with the Troniq Music label. Appearances with bona fide Nigerian stars like Davido and Wizkid raised his profile, while he found his footing on early singles like "Shugar" and the DJ Tunez collaboration "Causing Trouble."
The release of 2020's Oxygene EP and its breakout single "Away" effectively introduced Oxlade to fans outside of his own country; the song received a nod from Drake and even made Rolling Stone's year-end list. He worked quickly and spent the next year issuing additional singles like the silky "DKT" and the Dolapo and Ms Banks collaboration "Interest," that charted in the U.K. 2021's "Ojuju," from his Eclipse EP, and the Ice Prince feature "Kolo" were both hits as Oxlade's star continued to rise. 2022's "Want You" marked the first outing for major-label Columbia Records U.K. which had signed him earlier that year. Released a few months later for the German video platform ColorsxStudios, "Ko Lu Sa" became Oxlade's breakout hit. Over a gentle rhythm and chiming guitars, his dreamy vocals caught on with fans around the world and the song became a global hit charting throughout Europe and North America. Later that year a remix of the song featured Cuban singer Camila Cabello.
© Timothy Monger /TiVo
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Joy (Spax Remix)
Pop - Released by Red Bull Records on 12 May 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Dollas and Cents (DJ Tunez Mix)
Hip-Hop/Rap - Released by Same Plate - RCA Records on 10 Feb 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Slowly
Miscellaneous - Released by Rockstone Media - Pop Style Music on 20 May 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Sidung Pun It
Nailah Blackman, Oxlade, Dee Mad
Reggae - Released by Sokah Experience on 27 May 2022
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Soli
Hip-Hop/Rap - Released by Universal Music Italia srL. on 28 Mar 2024
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Fall (feat. Nviiri The Storyteller, Quamina MP) (African Remix)
Afrobeat - Released by Azuri on 5 Nov 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Stuntin
Mix Master David, Oxlade, Verse Simmonds
World - Released by MMD Records on 16 Jul 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo