Singer Ikuforiji Olaitan Abdulrahman, also known as Oxlade, has spoken out about racial harassment he experienced in France.
The singer disclosed during a recent appearance on “The Datebizz” podcast that the event served as the inspiration for the title of his debut album, “Oxlade From Africa.” Oxlade stated:
“I decided to name my album ‘Oxlade From Africa’ because I was racially abused in France, precisely Monaco.”
“That was what woke me up to be an African. It also made me realise that African stigma exists. In Africa, we see ourselves as normal human beings but outside Africa, they [foreigners] see us as monkeys, strange beings.”
Oxlade, a graduate of History and International Relations, also claimed that the names Africa and Nigeria are both derogatory.
Meanwhile, Oxlade warmed the hearts of his fans as he welcomed his father on stage during his album listening party on Wednesday night, September 18, 2024.
He prostrated before his father before hugging him on stage. The singer’s father was excited to be there, describing the guests as amazing people and sharing his delight in his son.
During his speech, Oxlade claimed that gangs were the reason he left school.
The musician claims that his last year at Lagos State University was spent dropping out since it was the right choice for him to leave the academic setting.
The crooner from “Kulosa” called it a “crazy time.”
“I dropped out of the university in my final year because it was a crazy time. There were some gangs after me because I’m a fine boy. Being a fine boy makes you a target. It is either you join them or they o** you. So I had to leave that environment.”
“I went to Lagos State University (LASU). Go and read about the school. Now, they’re more focused on academics. I think they’ve realized how fragile life is and how important it is to pursue your dreams, so they’ve cracked down on that kind of behaviour. Now everyone is chasing money, but at that time, it was a hot period.
“After I left school, I ran away from home because I couldn’t tell my family why I dropped out,”
