Singer Ikuforiji Olaitan, widely recognized as Oxlade, has shared his experience of enduring racial abuse while in France.
Speaking on a recent episode of the podcast ‘The Datebizz,’ he explained that this painful encounter served as the inspiration behind the title of his debut album, Oxlade From Africa.
“I decided to name my album ‘Oxlade From Africa’ because I was racially abused in France, precisely Monaco,” he shared.
“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, who holds a degree in History and International Relations, also expressed that the terms “Africa” and “Nigeria” carry derogatory connotations.