Lekan Osifeso Jr, popularly known as Lojay, has never shied away from revealing his inner world. In an industry often defined by bravado and spectacle, the Monalisa hitmaker has built his identity on something far more intimate — vulnerability. Ahead of the release of his debut album XOXO, the Lagos-born singer opens up about love, heartbreak, and the lessons that have shaped his artistry.

Growing up in church choirs, Lojay’s musical roots were steeped in harmony and emotion. “Growing up in church taught me the power of feeling in music before I even understood structure,” he recalls. “The harmonies, the choirs, the passion behind worship gave me this instinct to connect emotionally first, technically second.” This foundation continues to inform his ability to convey both joy and heartbreak in his songs.

Lojay’s journey began with the rap group Dkoy, a period he credits for his discipline in songwriting. “Rap taught me discipline with words. I obsess over rhyme schemes and flows. Even now, when I sing, there’s rhythm and precision in how I place words and melodies.”

The stage name Lojay is more than a moniker. “It’s the most honest version of me,” he explains. “It’s not a character; it’s the voice of my emotions. As Lojay, I allow myself to feel everything fully — joy, pain, love, temptation, and confusion. It’s my emotional fingerprint.”

Musically, Lojay blends Afro-fusion, R&B, and electronic vibes, balancing global influences while staying authentically Nigerian. “My foundation is Afrobeat — the percussion, the groove, the slang. But I’m also a global listener. The balance is what makes my sound universal but still ours.”

On his emotional approach, Lojay says, “Real confidence is being able to be vulnerable. Some days I sound broken, some days I sound untouchable — that’s human.” His debut album XOXO reflects this duality, exploring love, heartbreak, and self-discovery with a maturity that sets it apart from earlier projects like LV N ATTN and Gangster Romantic. “XOXO is about loving, losing, healing, and still choosing to love again — just differently,” he shares.

The inspiration behind the album stems from personal experience. “There was a point where I loved someone deeply but lost myself in the process. That taught me love should add to you, not erase you. Since then, I write from a place of balance — loving, but with awareness.”

Despite the pressures of fame, Lojay stays grounded through family, faith, and quiet moments away from the public eye. “Sometimes I just disappear for a bit, no music, no social media, just time to breathe and reconnect with God and my people,” he says.

With XOXO, Lojay hopes listeners will feel a journey of shared emotion. “I want them to feel seen. The highs, the lows, the in-betweens — if someone finishes it and says, ‘Yeah, I’ve been there,’ then I did my job.”

Lojay’s honesty, emotional depth, and evolving artistry continue to set him apart as one of Nigeria’s most compelling voices in contemporary music.