Nigerian singer Omah Lay has said that the Afrobeats industry is largely centred in Lagos and heavily influenced by Yoruba culture.
The singer, whose real name is Stanley Omah Didia, made the remarks during a listening session for his upcoming album, Clarity of Mind, where he discussed the dynamics of Nigeria’s music scene.
“Afrobeats is mainly Lagos. It’s mainly Yorubas. Fela Kuti is the pioneer, we all know that, and he’s Yoruba,” he said, referencing the genre’s late pioneer and cultural icon.
Reflecting on his own journey, the Port Harcourt-born artiste explained that performers from outside Lagos often have to establish themselves in the city to gain wider recognition. “I’m from PH, and you have to break into Lagos. There are only two people from PH that you know; Burna Boy & Me,” he added.
During the session, Omah Lay also opened up about a personal moment of distress he experienced at the Grammy Awards. He revealed that he went through a breakup during the ceremony, which left him emotionally distracted.
“While Justin Bieber was performing at the Grammys, I was having a breakup right inside, an embarrassing moment,” he said, adding that the relationship lasted only two months but felt significant at the time. “The relationship was only two months, by the way. It was a relationship where I thought I was going to have a baby. I wasn’t present at the Grammys, I didn’t even enjoy anything,” he explained.
Omah Lay, who was recently nominated for a Grammy alongside Davido for their collaboration With You, also recounted difficulties preparing for the event in Los Angeles, including challenges with getting his hair styled.
“I went to LA for the Grammys, I got a barber to prepare for the show, and he messed me up. I got another barber who was like the best barber in LA, and his price was exaggerated to fix me up. He came, and he completely f**k me over,” he said.
