Nigerian singer Omah Lay has stirred debate in the music industry after claiming that the Afrobeats genre is largely dominated by artists from Lagos and the Yoruba ethnic group, making it difficult for musicians from other regions to break into the scene.
The singer, who hails from Port Harcourt in Rivers State, made the remarks during the listening party for his forthcoming album titled Clarity Of Mind.
Speaking at the event, Omah Lay reflected on the challenges he faced while trying to establish himself in the Lagos-based music industry. According to him, coming from outside Lagos meant he had to work significantly harder to gain recognition.
He said the journey into the Afrobeats scene was particularly demanding because the genre has historically been shaped by Lagos and Yoruba cultural influences.
“Afrobeats is mainly Lagos. It is mainly Yorubas,” he said. “Fela Kuti is the pioneer, we all know that, and he is Yoruba.”
The singer added that as an artist from Port Harcourt, he had to struggle to gain acceptance in the Lagos music space, which he described as exhausting at some point in his career.
According to Omah Lay, only a few artists from Port Harcourt have managed to gain widespread recognition within the Afrobeats industry.
“I am from Port Harcourt and you have to break into Lagos. There are only two people from PH that you know: Burna Boy and me,” he said.
The “Soso” crooner explained that after years of navigating the pressures of the industry, he has reached a stage in his career where he no longer seeks validation from the Lagos music scene or the global music industry.
Instead, he said he now focuses on the support he receives from his fans and family.
“It got to a point I said, 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,” he said.
His comments have since sparked conversations among fans and industry observers about regional representation within the Afrobeats movement and the role Lagos plays as the dominant hub of Nigeria’s music industry.