About the EP
“OXYGENE” is the debut EP by Nigerian singer and songwriter Oxlade, released on March 27, 2020 through Troniq Music and The Plug Entertainment. The six-track project runs for just under 18 minutes and introduced listeners to the soulful vocal style and emotionally driven songwriting that would become central to Oxlade’s music.
The project features “O2,” “HOLD ON,” “AWAY,” “KOKOSE,” “WEAKNESS” and “TABLES TURN”, with British-Nigerian singer Moelogo appearing on the closing track.
The Sound
“OXYGENE” blends Afrobeats with elements of R&B, Afro-fusion, hip-hop and soulful pop. Oxlade’s smooth vocals are the defining feature of the project, with his ability to move between gentle melodies, expressive runs and more emotionally charged performances giving each record its own character.
Production across the EP comes from Spax, Nosa Apollo, Dera, Lussh and Echo, creating a sound that balances rhythmic Nigerian production with softer, atmospheric arrangements.
“AWAY” became one of the project’s standout records, while “O2” and “HOLD ON” further established the melodic style that had begun attracting attention to Oxlade before the EP’s release. Apple Music notes that all six songs from the project reached the Top 20 of Nigeria’s Apple Music Top 100 World Songs chart, with “AWAY” reaching No. 2.
What the EP Is About
Love, vulnerability, attraction and emotional uncertainty run through much of “OXYGENE.” Oxlade approaches relationships from different perspectives, moving between the excitement of attraction, the complications of affection and the pain that can come when emotions are not equally returned.
The project also highlights Oxlade’s storytelling ability. Instead of relying solely on energetic Afrobeats rhythms, he creates room for emotion to guide the performances. This gives songs such as “WEAKNESS” and “TABLES TURN” a more intimate quality, while “AWAY” and “O2” provide brighter and more melodic moments.
As a debut project, “OXYGENE” established the musical foundation for Oxlade’s later work. Its combination of soulful vocals, African rhythms and personal songwriting helped introduce an artist whose voice would become increasingly recognisable within contemporary Nigerian music.
Listen on Hitzeer
“OXYGENE” by Oxlade is a compact introduction to the artist’s early sound, bringing together soulful vocals, Afrobeats rhythms and emotionally focused songwriting across six tracks.
Stream “OXYGENE” on Hitzeer and explore more music from Oxlade.
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