Omah Lay, while reflecting on his relocation from Port Harcourt, noted that he had to work exceptionally hard to earn a spot in the Lagos music industry.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer Stanley Omah Didia—better known as Omah Lay—has stirred controversy by claiming that the Afrobeats genre is ‘mainly for Yorubas’ and asserting that artists from other ethnic groups struggle to break into the Lagos-dominated music scene.
He made these remarks during a recent listening party for his forthcoming album, ‘Clarity of Mind’.
Omah Lay, while reflecting on his relocation from Port Harcourt, noted that he had to work exceptionally hard to earn a spot in the Lagos music industry.
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The ‘I Can’t Stop’ crooner admitted that the constant push for acceptance felt ‘exhausting’ at several points in his career.
However, he explained that he has now reached a stage where he no longer seeks validation from the Lagos or global music industries, adding that he is content with the support of his family and core fanbase.
Addressing the crowd at the venue, he said: ”Afrobeats is mainly Lagos. It is mainly Yorubas. Fela Kuti is the pioneer—we all know that—and he is Yoruba. I am from Port Harcourt and you have to break into Lagos. There are only two people from PH [Port Harcourt] that you know: Burna Boy and me.
“It got to a point where I was like, ‘You know what? I am going to take my time and look at my family and fans—people who really love me.’ I am going to stay there. The rest of you, the rest of the world, don’t love me… that is it.”
