OFA (Oxlade From Africa)
| OFA (Oxlade From Africa) | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 20 September 2024 | |||
| Recorded | 2022–2024 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 45:30 | |||
| Label |
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| Producer |
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| Oxlade chronology | ||||
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| Singles from OFA (Oxlade From Africa) | ||||
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OFA (Oxlade From Africa) is the debut studio album by Nigerian singer Oxlade. It was released on 20 September 2024, through Troniq Music and Epic Records. The album features guest appearances from Flavour, Dave, Fally Ipupa, Wande Coal, Ojahbee, Popcaan, Tomi Owó and Bobi Wine. Production was handled by P.Priime, Dre Skull, Egar Boi, Puffy, DeeYasso, Timmy, T.U.C, Magicsticks, Ozedikus, Spax, The Kazes, Ojahbee, TMXO and Oxlade himself. The album was preceded by seven singles— "Ku Lo Sa," "Ovami," "Intoxycated," "Katigori," "Piano," "Arabambi," and "Ifa."
Concept and themes
[edit]Oxlade From Africa blends vintage African sounds with modern Afrobeats, showcasing Oxlade’s ability to bridge generations musically. In an interview with OkayAfrica, he described the project as "a body of work that travels through time and rhythm." The album addresses personal and sociopolitical themes, with "D PTSD Interlude" commenting on police brutality and the #EndSARS movement. Oxlade also reflects on his identity, particularly on the track "Olaitan (Olaoluwa)," drawing inspiration from his name, which means "unending favor."[2]
Singles
[edit]The album's lead single "Ku Lo Sa" premiered live as a Colors Show performance on 10 June 2022.[3] The song, produced by Ozedikus,[4] released as an official single on 21 October 2022, alongside a Director X-directed music video.[5] The second single, "Ovami," features fellow Nigerian singer Flavour and was released on 19 May 2023. The song was produced by Magicsticks and Oxlade.[6] The third single "Intoxycated" features British rapper Dave and was released on 13 July 2023. The song was produced by Deeyasso, Spax, and The Kazes.[7] The album's fourth and fifth singles "Katigori" and "Piano" were both released on 17 November 2023. "Katigori" was produced by Timmy and "Piano" was produced by P.Priime. "'Katigori' is a three-year-old record, it was created in a space where I had fame but not success. It was me manifesting where I am now and prophesying my future because I feel like there’s a moment in my music career where everybody will accept that I’m the GOAT. On the other hand, 'Piano' is a result of all my fast-paced records that didn’t get the blessings they deserved," Oxlade says about the tracks.[8][9] The TMXO-produced sixth single "Arabambi" was released on 14 June 2024 alongside a music video shot and directed between St Lucia and Lagos by Montecarlo Dream. According to him, the song’s melody was inspired by the American singer Miguel and the way he uses his vocals. “It’s a love song but it’s still me in my braggadocious elements. It is the original song I was meant to perform for ColorsxStudios before I swapped it for ‘Ku Lo Sa’,” he commented.[10] The seventh and final single "Ifa" features Fally Ipupa and was released on 23 August 2024. The song was produced by Egar Boi.[11]
Critical reception
[edit]Adeayo Adebiyi of Pulse Nigeria critiqued Oxlade From Africa, stating it "didn't do for Oxlade what it should nor did it have what it takes to propel him to the next level," and noted that the album struggled with direction and execution, ultimately resulting in an average rating of 5/10. Adebiyi emphasized that while the album included glimpses of Oxlade's talent, it largely failed to deliver excitement or innovation, with much of its appeal found in pre-released singles rather than the new material.[12]
TJ Martins of Album Talks reviewed Oxlade From Africa, noting that while the album featured "some worthwhile moments," it ultimately struggled with execution and thematic depth, culminating in an overall rating of 6/10. Martins pointed out that Oxlade's attempt to explore deeper themes felt "pretentious and contrived," as the music did not match the ambitious aesthetic, leading to a collection of pop songs that, despite their catchiness, failed to showcase his full artistic potential.[13]
Olukorede Owoeye of Nigerian Entertainment Today reviewed Oxlade From Africa, stating that the project "suffers from a wide range of issues," primarily due to its late release and lack of coherence in direction, which ultimately made it feel rushed and underwhelming. Despite its potential, the album failed to capitalize on Oxlade's previous success with "Ku Lo Sa," and Owoeye described it as lacking a "coherent pattern of self-expression," emphasizing that it feels like a missed opportunity for the artist.[14]
Track listing
[edit]| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "D PTSD Interlude" (featuring Bobi Wine) | Olaitan Ikuforiji | 1:33 | |
| 2. | "Olaitan (Olaoluwa)" |
| Timmy | 3:03 |
| 3. | "Blessed" (featuring Popcaan) |
| Dre Skull | 3:31 |
| 4. | "Intoxycated" (featuring Dave) |
|
| 3:32 |
| 5. | "Ifa" (featuring Fally Ipupa) |
| Egar Boi | 3:38 |
| 6. | "Ku Lo Sa" |
| Ozedikus | 2:28 |
| 7. | "Ovami" (featuring Flavour) |
|
| 3:24 |
| 8. | "Arabambi" |
| TMXO | 3:10 |
| 9. | "Tamuno" (interlude) | Ikuforiji | 1:41 | |
| 10. | "Asunasa (Hold Your Waist)" (featuring Wande Coal) |
| T.U.C | 3:05 |
| 11. | "Piano" |
| P.Priime | 2:47 |
| 12. | "Ololufe" (featuring Sarkodie) |
| Egar Boi | 2:20 |
| 13. | "RMF" |
| Puffy | 2:58 |
| 14. | "On My Mind (OMM)" (featuring Tomi Owó and Ojahbee) |
| Ojahbee | 3:06 |
| 15. | "Katigori" |
| Timmy | 2:58 |
| 16. | "OFA" |
| Spax | 2:10 |
| Total length: | 45:30 | |||
Release history
[edit]| Region | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Various | 20 September 2024 |
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References
[edit]- ^ Obi, Ify (20 September 2024). "Oxlade Trails Across The Continent, Diaspora On Debut Album 'Oxlade From Africa'". Rolling Stone Africa. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
- ^ Esomnofu, Emmanuel (25 September 2024). "The Healing Melodies of Oxlade From Africa". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
- ^ Adebiyi, Adeayo (10 June 2022). "Oxlade drops new single 'KU LO SA' for A Colors Show". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
- ^ Conteh, Mankaprr (25 October 2022). "Oxlade's 'Ku Lo Sa' is Big. He's Thinking Bigger". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
- ^ Okhide, Peter (22 October 2022). "Watch Oxlade's New Music Video For 'Ku Lo Sa'". NotJustOk. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
- ^ "Oxlade teams up with Flavour for 'OVAMI'". YFM Ghana. 25 May 2023. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
- ^ Helfand, Raphael (13 July 2023). "Dave joins Oxlade on "Intoxycated"". The Fader. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
- ^ Kearns, Sarah (20 November 2023). "Afrobeats Singer Oxlade Drops New EP 'KATIGORI/PIANO'". Hypebeast. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
- ^ Okoro, Emmanuel (13 December 2023). "Afro-Pop Star, Oxlade, Releases Two-Track Pack, "Katigori/Piano"". Afrocritik. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
- ^ "Oxlade releases Arabambi single". Music in Africa. 14 June 2024. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
- ^ Esomnofu, Emmanuel (23 August 2024). "Oxlade and Fally Ipupa Deliver a Classic Serenade on "IFA"". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
- ^ Adebiyi, Adeayo (24 September 2024). "Oxlade's debut album 'OFA' is a product of cold feet [Review]". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
- ^ Martins, TJ (25 September 2024). "Oxlade Doesn't Execute Well Enough On "OFA" [Album Review]". Album Talks. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
- ^ Owoeye, Olukorede (27 September 2024). "OFA; A review of Oxlade's debut album. Great album or rushed piece of art". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 28 September 2024.