Oxlade on short songs: the Afrobeats singer urges colleagues to bring back 5-minute tracks, pushing against the trend of under 3-minute hits

Oxlade on short songs has sparked conversation in the Nigerian music scene after the Afrobeats star urged fellow artistes to increase the length of their tracks.

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“Bring back 5 minutes songs,” the singer wrote on his X handle on Thursday, calling for a shift away from the wave of two-minute hits dominating the industry.

His statement quickly drew reactions from fans and colleagues, many of whom agreed that longer tracks allow for deeper storytelling and richer listening experiences.

In recent years, mainstream Nigerian music has tilted toward shorter songs, often lasting just over two minutes.

This trend, popularized by artistes like Wizkid and Mr Eazi, gained momentum with newcomers such as Rema, Joeboy, Omah Lay, and Ayra Starr, who broke into the scene between 2019 and 2021 with bite-sized hits.

In contrast, South African Amapiano songs, which have also gained global traction, typically stretch well beyond seven minutes, creating space for extended rhythms and layered sounds.

Ironically, Oxlade himself has benefitted from the short-song trend. His 2022 smash hit *“Kulosa”* runs for just 2 minutes and 31 seconds, yet became one of his most recognizable tracks internationally.

Still, with his latest advocacy, Oxlade is signaling a desire to revive fuller-length Afrobeats tracks that dominated earlier eras. As his fans rallied behind his call, many are left wondering if the industry will follow his lead.

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Signing off his post with a bold plea, Oxlade reminded the music community: “We need more than just quick hits we need timeless experiences.”