By Ohuakanwa Chibuzo
Afrobeats sensation Omah Lay has recently shed light on the difficulties he faces within the music industry, expressing feelings of being unloved and unappreciated by both the media and key industry players. Despite enjoying a strong fan base and the support of his family and team, the singer revealed a sense of isolation from the broader industry.
In a candid interview with Amazon Music, Omah Lay admitted to often escaping into a “fantasy world” to cope with the harsh realities of his experiences in the music scene. “I have my fans, family, and team, but I don’t feel loved, especially by the media and the people who call themselves the gatekeepers,” he shared. “This is something I’ve never talked about. I’m that artist that lives in a fantasy world. I just live in my head 90 percent of the time.”
Omah Lay also discussed the unique challenges of being a Nigerian artist, particularly when traveling internationally with a Nigerian passport. He described the cruel treatment he frequently encounters from immigration officers, noting a stark change in their behavior once they recognize him as a famous artist. “Travelling, especially being a Nigerian and having a Nigerian passport, I have just seen the cruelty of the world so much. The immigration officers often maltreat me once they see the Nigerian passport until they realize that I’m Omah Lay—that’s when the treatment changes,” he added.
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The singer’s revelations have sparked conversations about the broader issues facing Nigerian artists both at home and abroad, highlighting the complexities of navigating the global music industry.