Singer Ikuforiji Olaitan, better known as Oxlade, recently shared a powerful personal story about experiencing racial abuse in France.
During an appearance on the popular podcast The Datebizz, he revealed how this painful encounter influenced the title of his debut album, Oxlade From Africa.
Reflecting on his time in Monaco, Oxlade explained, “I decided to name my album Oxlade From Africa because I faced racial abuse there. That experience truly opened my eyes to my identity as an African.”
He went on to highlight a troubling reality: “In Africa, we see ourselves as normal human beings, but outside the continent, many people view us through a distorted lens, often reducing us to harmful stereotypes.”
Oxlade, who holds a degree in History and International Relations, also pointed out that the names Africa and Nigeria can carry derogatory connotations in some contexts. His story serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle against racial prejudice and the importance of embracing one’s identity.
