Ikuforiji Olaitan Abdulrahman, better known as Oxlade, a prominent figure in the Afrobeats music scene, has shared the challenges he encountered during his journey to fame.
The gifted vocalist opened up about a period in his life before attaining celebrity status when he used to find shelter beneath the Ojuelegba bridge in Lagos, having left his parental home.
He recounted that his father, a university lecturer, did not support his aspiration to become a musician, which prompted him to leave home in pursuit of his dreams.
During his appearance on an episode of the Afrobeats podcast hosted by Adesope Olajide, the artist also revealed that he engaged in selling BRT bus tickets as a means to sustain himself.
Oxlade expressed ...
“In those days, I occasionally found myself sleeping near Ojuelegba barrack bridge. I undertook various odd jobs just to get by. I even sold BRT tickets.”
Expanding on his perspective, he added ...
“Taking the time to craft songs or any creation is crucial; otherwise, the outcome might seem hasty. If you hurry in, you might hurry out.
“I'm not after producing mere hits; I'm striving for enduring classics. Consider 'Away,' which is three or four years old but still resonates. 'Ku Lo Sa,' a year old, continues to make waves. Then out of nowhere, 'O2' blew up last year. These tracks might be aged, but their significance remains present.
“I won't mention names, but I've witnessed numerous artists who released songs last year that gained instant popularity but have since faded into obscurity. My aim isn't to make a fleeting impression; I'm dedicated to leaving an indelible mark in your memory.”