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Nigerian singer Ikuforiji Olaitan, widely known as Oxlade, has opened up about experiencing racial abuse in France, an incident that inspired the title of his debut album, *Oxlade From Africa*. Speaking on a recent episode of ‘The Datebizz’ podcast, Oxlade shared that the abuse occurred in Monaco and significantly shaped his identity as an African.
“I decided to name my album *Oxlade From Africa* because I was racially abused in France, precisely Monaco,” the singer recalled. “That was what woke me up to be an African. It also made me realise that African stigma exists.”
Oxlade went on to explain how the incident highlighted the stark contrast between how Africans perceive themselves and how they are viewed abroad. “In Africa, we see ourselves as normal human beings, but outside Africa, they [foreigners] see us as monkeys, strange beings.”
A graduate of History and International Relations, Oxlade also expressed the belief that both the names Africa and Nigeria are derogatory.
