Omah Lay is back in his feelings and right on time.
The Nigerian singer and songwriter kicks off 2026 with “DON’T LOVE ME,” his first release of the year following late-2025’s “Waist.”
True to form, Omah Lay isn’t chasing trends or dancefloor moments. Instead, he leans deeper into the emotional lane he’s made entirely his own.
Long hailed as the face of what fans dub “Afro-depression,” Omah Lay once again delivers raw honesty wrapped in moody, atmospheric soundscapes.
Don’t Love Me feels like a quiet confession, a haunting teaser for his highly anticipated sophomore album, Clarity Of Mind. Produced by longtime collaborator Tempoe, the song finds Omah Lay pushing a lover away, not out of indifference, but fear that his internal chaos might ruin something pure.
Sonically, the record is stripped back and intimate. Minimalist percussion and soft, ambient synths create plenty of breathing room for the lyrics to sink in. It carries echoes of the Boy Alone era, but with a more grounded, almost cynical view of love.
View this post on Instagram
This is late-night music, the kind that hits hardest when the world goes quiet, and your thoughts get loud.
Lyrically, Omah Lay wrestles with fame, emotional instability, and self-awareness. There’s a noticeable shift in perspective: he’s no longer just the wounded party in his love stories. This time, he acknowledges that he can be the problem too.
The repeated plea “Don’t love me” becomes both a warning and a shield, reinforcing the themes he’s become known for within Afrobeats.
Fans have responded instantly, applauding his refusal to force a club anthem and instead staying true to the sombre, vulnerable storytelling that first drew them in. “DON’T LOVE ME” isn’t just a song, it’s a mood, a mirror, and another reminder of why Omah Lay remains one of the most relatable and artistically fearless voices in modern African music.
Listen to ‘Don’t Leave Me‘ HERE