Nigerian singer and songwriter Ikuforiji Olaitan Abdulrahman, professionally known as Oxlade, has released his highly anticipated debut album, OFA (Oxlade From Africa). The 16-track masterpiece has already gotten an impressive 400 million plays on Spotify, and for good reason, ‘Oxlade makes beautiful music.’

The album is a meticulously crafted journey through four dimensions of Oxlade’s world: Love, Pain, Hustle, and Joy.

Announcing the album's release on his social media, Oxlade wrote, "Dear Oxygenes, Today is the day my dreams come to life. This album is a piece of my heart and I’m so grateful for your unwavering support throughout this journey. Welcome to the new dispensation."

The album features an impressive lineup of artists, including Dave, Popcaan, Flavour, Fally Ipupa, Sarkodie, Tomi Owo, Wande Coal, Ojahbee, and Ugandan activist Bobi Wine. These collaborations add diversity to the project.

On the album, seven previously released singles are added —the diamond-certified "Ku Lo Sa" which launched the artist to international success, "Ovami" featuring Flavour, "Intoxycated" with UK rapper Dave, "IFA" with Congolese legend Fally Ipupa, Arabami, Piano, and Katigori.

These seven pre-released singles have already gained massive traction. Still, the new tracks also showcase Oxlade’s incredible vocal capability, storytelling power, and talent as an artist both solo and in collaborations. Standout tracks like "Olaitan (Olaoluwa)," "Asunasa" featuring Wande Coal, "Ololufe" featuring Sarkodie, and "On My Mind (OMM)" featuring Tomi Owo and Ojahbee depict Oxlade’s exceptional talent.

The album production is top-notch from the Afrobeat-infused "RMF (Rich Motherfr**ker)" to the relaxed "Blessed" featuring Popcaan, to the sad opener, "D PTSD INTERLUDE," and "Tamuno," a middle album interlude that pays tribute to Oxlade’s roots and culture and also as serves the beginning of a somewhat second disc.

One of the catchiest aspects of this project is its consistent thematic cohesion. Oxlade takes listeners through his world, exploring similar emotions and narratives across all the tracks, creating a unified artistic expression and a cohesive body of work.

While most critics have accused Oxlade of “stat-padding” due to his inclusion of the previously released singles, it’s obvious these tracks were carefully selected to strengthen the overall narrative of the project. And even without these lead singles, the remaining tracks would still make an engaging album.

PERFORMERS: Oxlade, Bobi Wine, Popcaan, Dave, Fally Ipupa, Flavour, Wande Coal, Sarkodie, Tomi Owo, Ojahbee.

SONGWRITERS: Olaitan Ikuforiji, Adetiloye Samuel Oluwadurotimi, Andre Sutherland, Andrew Hershey, David Omoregie, Dennis Hope Yasso, Michael Akano, Ernest Ogaga Itiveh, Igbinosa Osaze, Kareem Temitayo, Kassim Kehinde, Kassim Taiwo, Timi Aladeloba, Hyacinth Obidi, Oluwatobi Wande Ojosipe, Peace Emmanuel Aderogba, Ernest Ogaga Itiveh, Adeneye Oluwatosin, Jacob Hunter, Ojabodu Ademola, Ufot Godwin, Akano Samuel.

PRODUCERS: Timmy, Dre Skull, Dennis Hope Yasso, Spax, TUC, Egar Boi, Ozedikus, Magicsticks, TMXO, KLEM, Pprime, Puffy AmiYumi, Ojahbee, Godwyn.

The album cover art for the 16-track album recently released by Nigerian singer-songwriter, Oxlade.

Oxlade: OFA (OXLADE FROM AFRICA) - Album Review

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