Omah Lay says Afrobeats is dominated by Lagos artists as he reflects on struggles breaking into the Nigerian music industry

Nigerian singer Omah Lay has spoken candidly about the challenges he faced entering the country’s music industry, saying the Afrobeats scene is largely dominated by Lagos-based and Yoruba artists.

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The Port Harcourt-born artist made the remarks during the listening party for his forthcoming album, Clarity of Mind, where he reflected on the obstacles he encountered while building his career.

According to Omah Lay, the Nigerian music industry is heavily centred in Lagos, creating additional hurdles for artists from other regions seeking mainstream recognition.

“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 that you know; Burna Boy and me,” the singer said.

Omah Lay explained that coming from Port Harcourt meant he had to work harder to gain visibility in a music ecosystem largely shaped by Lagos-based networks and industry gatekeepers.

The singer acknowledged that the pressure to gain acceptance in the industry became exhausting at certain stages of his career.

However, Omah Lay said he has now shifted his focus away from seeking validation from the broader music establishment and instead prioritises support from his family and loyal fan base.

“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.

The comments offer a revealing glimpse into the structural challenges faced by emerging artists outside Nigeria’s main entertainment hubs, even as Afrobeats continues its rapid global expansion.

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Omah Lay’s forthcoming album Clarity of Mind is expected to further showcase his distinctive sound and personal storytelling as he continues to carve out a powerful presence within the evolving Afrobeats landscape.