Nigerian artist Omah Lay has opened up about the major challenges he faces in the music industry. The “Boy Alone” hitmaker expressed feeling a lack of love, particularly from the media and industry gatekeepers.
In an interview with Amazon Music, Omah Lay revealed that to cope with what he described as a “sad reality,” he often retreats into a fantasy world.
“I have my fans, family, and team, but I don’t feel loved, especially by the media and the people that call themselves the gatekeepers,” he shared. “This is something I’ve never talked about. I’m that artist who lives in a fantasy world. I just live in my head 90 percent of the time.”
Omah Lay also touched on the difficulties he encounters as a Nigerian, particularly when traveling with a Nigerian passport. “Traveling, especially being a Nigerian and having the Nigerian passport, I have just seen the cruelty of the world so much,” he said.
He noted that immigration officers often mistreat him upon seeing his Nigerian passport, only changing their behavior once they recognize him as Omah Lay.
"I don't feel loved especially by the media and the people that call themselves the gatekeepers"
– Omah Lay pic.twitter.com/uZb866duyG
— @𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗷𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗯𝗼𝘆 (@OneJoblessBoy) August 17, 2024
In addition, Omah Lay sparked excitement among his fans by hinting at a new project on social media. The talented artist changed his Twitter profile picture to a bright sunlight image, giving a glimpse into the theme of his upcoming sophomore album.
This move comes as a follow-up to the success of his debut album, which earned him a reputation as a gifted songwriter and singer.
Omah Lay’s debut album, “Boy Alone,” consisted of 14 tracks, including hits like “Woman,” “Bend You,” and “I’m A Mess.” He later released a deluxe version, “Boy Alone Deluxe,” which added six new tracks, including “Reason,” “Come Closer,” and “Imagine” featuring Aitch.