Lojay's Musical Evolution: From Breakout EP to Debut Album Masterpiece
Nigerian music sensation Lojay has officially entered the debut album arena with XOXO, a comprehensive 14-track project that showcases his growth as both a chart-proven romantic and dedicated studio artist. The album represents a significant milestone for the 29-year-old singer, born Lekan Osifeso Jr., who first captured national attention with his groundbreaking LVN ATTN EP in 2021.
Building on a Foundation of Success
Since his initial breakthrough, Lojay has consistently demonstrated his versatility through hypnotic party anthems and heartfelt romantic ballads. His collaboration with producer Sarz on the LVN ATTN EP not only established him as one of Nigeria's most vibrant new talents but also earned him international recognition through the Chris Brown-assisted remix of Monalisa.
The young superstar's catalog has achieved remarkable chart success, including entries on the Billboard US Afrobeats Songs chart with Monalisa and the Billboard Hot 100 through his collaboration with Chris Brown and Davido on Sensational. His growing influence in the African music scene has been further validated by a Headies award for Next Rated Artiste and a Grammy nomination for Best African Music Performance.
XOXO: A Deep Dive into Musical Fusion
With his debut album, Lojay expands his sonic palette while maintaining the romantic themes that have become his signature. XOXO features four carefully selected collaborations that enhance the album's diverse appeal: British-Nigerian singer Odeal on Mwah!, Colombian rapper Feid on Body, South African superstar Tyla on Memories, and Nigerian hitmaker Victony on Sawa.
In an exclusive interview with Guardian Music, Lojay revealed that the album's creation spanned approximately two years, though conscious planning began only last year. My only guiding principle was that I wanted this to be an Afrobeats album that maintained artistic integrity, the singer explained, emphasizing his commitment to genre-blending experimentation.
Spontaneous Creativity and Collaborative Magic
The album's creation process was marked by several spontaneous moments that yielded exceptional results. Lojay particularly highlighted the impromptu recording of Mwah! with Odeal, which occurred unexpectedly on Christmas night last year. What began as a simple catch-up session transformed into one of the album's standout tracks when producer Loudaa played the instrumental, Lojay recalled.
His collaboration with Tyla on Memories originated from an equally spontaneous 2022 session arranged by producer Sarz. At that time, she wasn't really as recognized in Nigeria, but the energy in the room was perfect, Lojay noted, describing how the track emerged naturally during a session filled with laughter and casual vibing.
Perhaps the most unconventional collaboration was with Victony, which occurred entirely remotely. That was probably the only session that didn't have a physical studio component, Lojay revealed, explaining how he reached out to Victony after feeling the song needed an additional vocal layer, with the feature verse arriving within hours.
Love as Creative Fuel: Drawing from Personal Experience
True to his reputation as Afrobeats' premier romantic, Lojay confirmed that the majority of the album's content draws directly from his personal experiences. Out of 14 songs, perhaps just two were kind of fiction, and even those are rooted in reality, he stated, emphasizing his creative process requires drawing from genuine emotional sources.
The album captures a particularly turbulent period in the artist's love life. I fell, went out, and fell right again over those two years, Lojay shared, though he remained coy about his current relationship status, simply stating I'm one with God while affirming his continued celebration of love's ideals.
He offered particular insight into Somebody Like You, a track dedicated to his first love that represents a significant emotional milestone. For the first time, I was able to express my feelings without longing for reconnection, Lojay explained, revealing how this early relationship continues to influence his romantic preferences to this day.
The Mind of a Music Nerd: Process and Preparation
Despite his natural talent, Lojay approaches music with academic rigor. Describing himself as a bit of a nerd when it comes to music, he detailed his extensive preparation for live performances and his analytical approach to song discovery.
His music consumption habits extend far beyond contemporary hits, with research spanning decades and genres. I listen to music all the way back to the 1930s to understand consistency in musical elements, he revealed, citing Cuban music from the 1950s as particularly influential. This deep dive into music history helps him understand the source of the source of contemporary sounds.
As an introvert who has developed an extroverted persona for his career, Lojay finds solace in nature, beach visits, and occasional FIFA gaming sessions when not creating music. His performance anxiety is mitigated by rigorous rehearsal schedules that ensure confidence on stage, whether facing his high school peers or the 100,000-strong crowds he's performed for alongside Chris Brown and at major international festivals.
Looking Forward: Establishing Dominance
With XOXO now released, Lojay's ambitions remain firmly focused on musical excellence. I want to be a dominant force in music, he stated unequivocally, emphasizing his commitment to achieving this goal step by step with each unique sound I bring to the table.
The album represents not just a collection of songs but a statement of artistic identity from an artist who has successfully transitioned from promising newcomer to established force in the global Afrobeats movement. Through XOXO, Lojay solidifies his position as both a hitmaker and serious musical innovator, capable of blending commercial appeal with genuine artistic exploration.
