‘Afrobeats Scene Is Divided,’ Omah Lay Speaks on Industry Loyalty

Omah Lay has raised concerns about division within Nigeria’s Afrobeats industry, attributing it to a growing culture of loyalty to individual artists.

In an interview with The Fader, the singer, born Omah Stanley Didia said the industry has become increasingly fragmented, with fans and stakeholders aligning themselves along rival camps.

According to him, this trend influenced his decision to unfollow Afrobeats heavyweights Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy widely regarded as the genre’s “Big 3.”

“The whole Nigerian Afrobeats scene is very separated. It’s like if you’re with Davido, you’re on one side; if you’re with Wizkid, you’re on the other,” he said.

Omah Lay acknowledged the trio’s role in shaping the global rise of Afrobeats but suggested that the current dynamic reflects an outdated structure that no longer serves the industry’s growth.

He added that the emphasis on loyalty to specific artists has deepened divisions within the scene, affecting unity and collaboration among musicians.