Oxlade, a Nigerian musician, has shared his experience with racial abuse in Monaco, France.
During an episode of The Datebizz podcast, the 27-year-old artist disclosed that this event heightened his African consciousness and influenced the title of his first album, ‘Oxlade From Africa’.
He said the incident was an eye-opener as it made him realise that “African stigma exists” and that foreigners often view Africans as “strange beings” or “monkeys”.
“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,” he said.
“It also made me realise that African stigma exists. In Africa, we see ourselves as normal human beings, but outside Africa, they see us as monkeys, strange beings.”
Born Ikuforiji Olaitan Abdulrahman, Oxlade first gained attention with his 2020 hit single ‘Away’.
This track was featured in Rolling Stone‘s ‘top 50 best songs of 2020’, which propelled him into the spotlight.
Oxlade is under contract with Troniq Music, Epic Records in France, and Columbia Records in the United Kingdom.
In September, Oxlade debuted his album ‘Oxlade From Africa’.
The singer has also released two extended plays (EP): ‘Oxygene’ in 2020 and ‘Eclipse’ in 2021.