Lojay Biography: Real Name, Age, Songs and Career

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Quick Facts

• Real name: Olalekan Oluwarantimi Osifeso Jr.
• Born: April 28, 1996, Lagos, Nigeria
• Occupations: Singer, songwriter, producer
• Years active: 2016 to present
• Breakthrough EP: LV N ATTN with Sarz (2021)
• Signature hit: “Monalisa,” remixed with Chris Brown (2022)
• Grammy nomination: Best African Music Performance for “Sensational” (2025)
• Debut studio album: XOXO (2025), featuring Tyla, Victony and Odeal

Ask yourself how a church choir kid becomes a Grammy-nominated voice collaborating with Chris Brown, Davido and Tyla. Lojay answers that question through steady, deliberate craft. Let us trace his path.

Who Is Lojay?

Lojay’s real name is Olalekan Oluwarantimi Osifeso Jr. He was born on April 28, 1996, in Lagos, Nigeria, making him 30 years old in 2026. His stage name comes directly from his initials, LO-J, drawn from Lekan Osifeso Jr. He works as a singer, songwriter and producer, known for blending Afrobeats with R&B, Amapiano and global pop textures.

Early Life and Musical Roots

Lojay grew up in a Christian household, raised partly in Ikorodu before his family moved to Victoria Island. His mother served as a pastor, and his first real exposure to performance came through her church’s teenage choir. That early, almost accidental introduction to music stayed with him through his teenage years.

As a teenager, he performed in a local rap group called Dkoy while attending Nigerian Turkish International College. He later graduated from the University of Portsmouth in the United Kingdom in 2018, studying abroad while continuing to build his music on the side.

Career Beginnings

Lojay released his debut EP, Midnight Vibes, in December 2017 while still a student. The five-track project marked his first formal step into recorded music. He followed it with standalone singles “Ariel” in 2019 and “Ogogoro” in 2020, steadily building a small but growing catalog.

His fortunes shifted after “Ariel” caught the attention of producer Sarz, who invited him to his Lagos studio. That connection became one of the most important partnerships of his career.

LV N ATTN and the Breakthrough

Lojay and Sarz released their collaborative EP, LV N ATTN, in 2021. The project included “Tonongo,” his first true breakout single, alongside “Monalisa” and a Wizkid-featured title track. Lojay described “Monalisa” as an Afrobeats song carrying Amapiano influence, while Sarz pointed to South African house music as a direct inspiration behind its production.

“Monalisa” became a continental hit, earning Lojay his first Headies nomination for Next Rated artiste at the 2022 ceremony. The song’s momentum only grew from there.

The Chris Brown Remix and Global Reach

A remix of “Monalisa” featuring American R&B star Chris Brown arrived in 2022, pushing the song into new international markets. The remix reached number eight on the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart and earned a Silver certification from the British Phonographic Industry. That single collaboration introduced Lojay’s name to audiences who had never encountered Nigerian Afrobeats before.

Gangster Romantic and Continued Collaborations

Lojay released his second EP, Gangster Romantic, in 2023, featuring South African producers DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small. The project included “Availabu,” a track drawing directly on his own personal relationships and experiences. That same year, he recorded “Wish U Well” alongside French Montana, Swae Lee and Jess Glynne, extending his collaborator list into American hip-hop and pop circles.

He also joined Chris Brown and Davido on “Sensational,” a song that debuted at number 71 on the Billboard Hot 100. That track marked both Davido and Lojay’s first entry on that specific chart.

Grammy Recognition

“Sensational” earned Lojay his first career Grammy nomination, in the Best African Music Performance category at the 2025 ceremony. The nomination placed him alongside major names in African music recognized by the Recording Academy that year. It confirmed his standing as more than a one-hit collaborator riding “Monalisa” alone.

XOXO: Debut Studio Album

Lojay released his debut studio album, XOXO, on October 10, 2025. The 14-track project featured Tyla, Victony, Odeal and Feid, reflecting his growing international reach. Ahead of the album, he released “Sawa” alongside Victony and teased “Memories,” a collaboration with Tyla built around themes of lost love and lingering connection.

In 2024, he had also featured on Fireboy DML’s album Adedamola, contributing the standout track “Letting Go,” and released his own single “Billions.” These releases, alongside XOXO, confirmed a steady, deliberate buildup toward his first full-length project.

Brand Partnerships and Wider Influence

Beyond music, Lojay’s image has been embraced by major global brands including WhatsApp, Red Bull UK, Chivas Regal and Coca-Cola. These partnerships reflect an artist whose influence extends beyond streaming numbers into broader commercial recognition. His growing collaborator list, spanning Wizkid, Davido, Olamide, Ayra Starr and international acts like Afsana Khan, shows an artist comfortable working across genres and regions.

Musical Style and Influence

Lojay’s sound blends Afrobeats with R&B, Amapiano and experimental global textures, built around introspective lyricism and emotive vocal delivery. His willingness to explore unfamiliar sounds, including Indian pentatonic scales on his collaboration “Mohobbat,” shows a genuine curiosity beyond typical Afrobeats formulas. Critics consistently cite his vocal control and songwriting depth as what separates him from artists chasing purely commercial hooks.

Current Career

As of 2026, Lojay remains one of Afrobeats’ most consistently collaborative voices, supported by his Grammy nomination and his debut album’s international guest list. His steady partnership history, from Sarz to Chris Brown to Tyla, suggests a career built on genuine musical relationships rather than one-off features. His continued presence across major new-music cycles confirms sustained relevance years after “Monalisa” first broke through.

Conclusion

Lojay’s journey from a church choir in Lagos to a Grammy nomination alongside Chris Brown and Davido shows what patient, collaborative artistry can achieve. His debut album, XOXO, brought together some of Africa’s and the world’s most recognizable voices in one cohesive project. His continued willingness to experiment suggests his influence on Afrobeats will keep expanding.