6.14.2024

RISING AFROBEATS STAR OXLADE UNVEILS NEW TRACK AND MUSIC VIDEO “ARABAMBI”

TAKEN FROM HIS DEBUT ALBUM OXLADE FROM AFRICA SET TO RELEASE THIS FALL

LISTEN HERE
WATCH HERE

Artwork here // All assets here

Critical Praise:

“Oxlade’s ‘Ku Lo Sa’ is Big. He’s Thinking Bigger…Though he’s built a respectable repertoire of tender Afrobeats jams since 2018, Oxlade is a recent international sensation, thanks to his viral hit ‘Ku Lo Sa,’ in which he contours his delicate, refined voice around lovelorn pleas.” – Rolling Stone

“A minor-key Afrobeats groove with little guitar curlicues sums up the mood: sleek and resigned.” – The New York Times on “Intoxycated” ft. Dave

“Oxlade is one of the biggest Afrobeats singers with more than 290,000 videos using his song ‘Ku Lo Sa’ on TikTok alone.” – BBC

“Oxlade has become a force in Afrobeats this past year.” – UPROXX

“Oxlade’s sultry voice was first introduced on his big break, Blaqbonez’s ‘Mamiwota,’ and from that moment it was apparent that Nigerian music had another star on its hands. It was a performance that helped change the tide towards mid and low-tempo songs in mainstream Nigerian music. It was only a matter of time before Oxlade proved to the world that he was a force to be reckoned with, and a special talent among the new guard of Afrobeats stars.” – OkayAfrica

“Ku Lo Sa” is one of The Best Afrobeats Songs of 2022 – OkayAfrica

Single + Video:

(Paris – June 14, 2024) Today, rising Afropop star Oxlade returns with a new track and music video “Arabambi” – listen here. Over the lush, airy instrumental, Oxlade wields his blend of Afrobeats, R&B, and pop as he yearns for his lover to stay by his side and give him her love forever. This track marks the final phase before his debut album Oxlade From Africa which is set be released this fall.

About the track, Oxlade says “Arabambi means “the child of the people,” “the community gave birth to this child”, “the one.” It’s also the nickname of K1 De Ultimate, an iconic Nigerian Fuji musician. The melody is 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.’”

The track comes together with a music video which radiates heat, both in its visual appeal and the palpable energy it exudes, encapsulating the essence of the track’s hot, vibrant celebration of rhythm. The picturesque video finds Oxlade and his lady traveling to the tropics to bask in each other’s presence among the stunning scenery – watch it here.

“Arabambi” is the latest release from Oxlade From Africa, Oxlade’s upcoming debut album, following “Intoxycated“, the red hot collaboration with UK rap star Dave as well as his two-pack single KATIGORI/PIANO. A smooth single that dissects the modern language of love, “Intoxycated” reached the Top 50 of the UK official charts, garnered coverage in The New York Times, and earned Hottest Record distinction from BBC Radio 1. The album continues the momentum from Oxlade’s massive 2022 hit, “Ku Lo Sa“, which racked up over 541 million global streams.

Oxlade’s rise to mainstream recognition has continued in full force last year with a nomination for Best Afrobeats Song at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards. Oxlade’s BBMA nomination followed a strong showing at the 2023 Headie Awards, where he received four nominations including Best Song Of The Year and Best Recording Of The Year. Last summer, Oxlade raised his profile with incredible live performances, including a performance with Usher at the Global Citizen Festival in Ghana, and a performance alongside Wizkid at the Accor Arena in France.

Oxlade From Africa arrives Fall 2024 via Epic Records.

LISTEN TO “ARABAMBI” HERE
WATCH “ARABAMBI” MUSIC VIDEO HERE

Contact:

For more info about Oxlade, please contact:
Michelle McDevitt, Audible Treats
Destiny Riley, Audible Treats
Derek Shannon, Epic Records

About Oxlade:

Born Ikuforiji Abdulrahman Olaitan and raised in Lagos, Oxlade started his musical journey in the choir, then releasing his first songs on Soundcloud back in 2017. He caught the attention of Nigerian fans the following year with the release of his debut single “Shugar“. Oxlade’s international glow started in 2020 with his single “Away,” making it to Rolling Stone’s “Top 50 songs of the year 2020” and getting praised by Drake.

The 26-year-old native of Lagos scored a global hit last year when he revealed an intimate performance of his song “Ku Lo Sa” on COLORSxSTUDIO. The green-tinted video was a massive success, generating over 77 million YouTube views, making it the most-watched COLORSxSTUDIO video in the past four years. “Ku Lo Sa” catapulted on its YouTube momentum to become a global hit: charting in across 61 countries on Apple Music and 23 markets on Spotify, peaking in the Top 10 in the UK’s Hip-Hop/R&B chart and peaking at #5 on Billboard’s U.S. Afrobeats chart, and reaching #11 on Billboard’s Year-End U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart. Oxlade welcomed Camila Cabello for the official “Ku Lo Sa” (Remix), and its sultry music video. “Ku Lo Sa” is nominated for “Best Afrobeats Song” a the 2023 Billboard Music Awards.

Oxlade went on with “Intoxycated“, a red hot collaboration with UK rap star Dave which reached the Top 50 of the UK official charts, garnered coverage in The New York Times, and earned Hottest Record distinction from BBC Radio 1.