Nigerian singer Ikuforiji Olaitan Abdulrahman, popularly known as Oxlade, has recounted how he slept under the bridge for some time after absconding from home to chase his music career.

He said his lecturer dad was against his decision to do music, forcing him to abscond and do several menial jobs to survive.

The ‘Away’ crooner said he sold BRT bus tickets and slept at Ojuelegba Barracks Bridge sometimes.

Oxlade disclosed this while appearing on the Afrobeats podcast, hosted by Adesope Olajide.

He said, “Back then, I used to sleep at Ojuelegba Barracks Bridge sometimes. I did several menial jobs to survive. I was selling BRT tickets.”

The singer also said he was more interested in making classical music than hit songs.

Oxlade said, “If you don’t take your time to create some songs or anything, it’s going to sound rushed. If you rushed in, you rushed out.

“I am not looking for hits; I am looking for classics. I mean, ‘Away’ is four or three years old, but it’s still banging. ‘Ku Lo Sa’ is a year old; it still bangs. ‘O2 came from nowhere; it just blew up last year. These songs are old, but they still have value right now.

“I don’t want to mention names, but I know of a lot of artists that dropped songs last year that blew up, but they are gone now. I’m not trying to impress; I’m trying to leave a long-lasting image in your head.”