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IOL News
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Oxlade's journey: from grief to musical success
Oxlade arrives in Cape Town for the promotion of his deluxe album Image: Armand Hough "Growing up, I was raised in the slums of Muchini. I lost my mum when I was three. I then moved to my grandmother's side – my mum's mum. She happened to be a devoted Christian, and her family was musically inclined. My mum was the first of five siblings. My grandmother still had four other musically inclined children – instrumentalists and vocalists. Watching them make music helped me grow. That's how I fell in love with music," Oxlade adds. As Oxlade introduces himself, it's easy to see that his upbringing wasn't easy by any stretch of the imagination. However, it was in this difficulty that he found himself – and eventually, he found music, which would go on to change his life forever. Recalling his first song, a cover titled It's Okay, Oxlade shares the story of his first time recording music. "I really liked the instrumental, and I liked the artist. Back in the day, I was inspired by that type of sound." Oxlade reflects on his life journey and music career Image: Armand Hough As we delve deeper into his personal life, Oxlade offers insight into his mindset and the ideology that drove him to where he is today. "I wasn't really looking for heights; I just wanted solitude and freedom. I wanted to do something I was made for – something I was born to do – not what others wanted me to do. In the early part of my life, I was doing things to make others proud, not to fulfil my own dreams. I found music, and music found me. Eventually, I found freedom." Along with this mentality, Oxlade was always fighting against external factors that could have hindered his development as an artist. He shares that his come-up wasn't the easiest route. "It was tough, I won't lie. Losing your mum at an early age is one of the most difficult things anyone can experience. My grandmother played a major role in making sure we didn't really feel that void. She had to work so hard to put food on the table. Thanks to God, that is history now." Discussing his latest project, OFA, Oxlade shares what inspired it. "It was inspired by me finding myself – self-awareness and identity as a Black person. Before anyone sees the superstar that I am, I felt they needed to know who I really am – someone from Africa. They say charity begins at home, so I'm showing the music I grew up listening to and incorporating it into my own music. That was the ideology behind the album." Oxlade vows to continue his global rise and inspire others Image: Armand Hough Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ When asked about his favourite song from the project, Oxlade jokingly says that if he had a favourite, he wouldn't release an album. Speaking about the features on the project, Oxlade gives us insight into how he works with other artists. "I only feature people because they are needed on the song – not because they're big or because I need the numbers. It's the art first, you know? Everyone featured on the album was handpicked and meant to be on those songs." As we begin to wrap up our interview, Oxlade reflects on the challenges he's faced along the way. "There will always be challenges. The bigger the level, the bigger the devil. It's inevitable for challenges to be part of the story. The story wouldn't slap if there was no downside to it. I just take every challenge one step at a time. We've got this." To conclude, Oxlade shares the motivation behind making music every day, despite life not always being easy. "I came from poverty, and I don't want to go back. That's the biggest inspiration a man can have, you know? Also, realising that an entire generation sees you as a beacon of light – that I am an example to so many people – I don't want to let them down. I also don't want to let myself down. Those are the reasons I keep going and keep elevating the best way I can."
CBC
01-05-2025
- CBC
How to talk to your children about the Lapu-Lapu festival tragedy
As much of the world reels from the shocking tragedy in Vancouver on Saturday, where an SUV rammed into festival-goers at a Filipino street party, there are questions on how to talk to your kids about grief and tragedy. Monique Carlos, a Filipino author of It's Okay, Just Ask, says it's important to keep checking in with kids in the wake of tragedy.
