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Oxlade credits Wande Coal as inspiration behind music career
Fast-rising Nigerian music star Ikuforiji Olaitan, better known as Oxlade, has revealed that legendary singer Wande Coal is the key inspiration behind his music career.
In a recent interview, Oxlade admitted that his admiration for Wande Coal’s talent and influence in the music industry was what motivated him to become a singer. “I don’t think I’ve ever said this publicly before, but I think Wande is the reason I make music, and people don’t even know,” he confessed.
“Wande is the reason why singers have the guts to still sing. Wande came in an era where, you know, vocalists and singers were a dying breed, and he made us have an identity and still believe in ourselves—so having someone like Wande on this album is a dream come true for me.”
Oxlade also shared the story behind his collaboration with Wande Coal on the song Asunasa (Hold Your Waist). He recounted that after recording the track in Ghana, he felt it was incomplete and needed something extra. A conversation with Wande Coal led to the legendary singer’s feature on the track.
Oxlade explained, “That’s the fastest song I made on the album. I made it in Ghana, and when I was thinking about the song, I felt like something was missing. [Wande and I] were discussing, and I just pitched it to him, and he decided to jump on the song. That’s one of my favorite songs of all time, and I feel like the world is going to relate to it.”
This heartfelt revelation highlights the deep impact Wande Coal has had on Oxlade’s musical journey and the broader Nigerian music scene.