₦airaland Forum

Omah Lay Says Afrobeats Is Dominated by Yorubas and Lagos Music Industry

Nigerian singer Omah Lay has opened up about the challenges he faced while trying to break into the Lagos-based music industry, stating that the Afrobeats scene is largely centred in Lagos and dominated by Yoruba artists. Eyes Of Lagos reports,

The singer made the revelation during the listening party for his forthcoming album titled “Clarity Of Mind.”

During the event, the Port Harcourt-born artist explained that establishing himself in the Nigerian music industry was not easy because the centre of the Afrobeats movement is in Lagos.

According to him, the genre traces its roots to legendary musician Fela Kuti, who played a major role in shaping the sound that later evolved into modern Afrobeats.

Speaking about the structure of the industry, Omah Lay said:

“Afrobeats is mainly Lagos. It is mainly Yorubas. Fela Kuti is the pioneer, we all know that and he is Yoruba.”

He added that artists coming from outside Lagos often have to work much harder to gain recognition.

The singer, who hails from Port Harcourt, noted that only a few artists from the city have managed to achieve global recognition in the Afrobeats industry.

He mentioned Burna Boy as one of the few successful artists from the region.

According to him:

“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.”

Omah Lay further revealed that the pressure to gain acceptance in the Lagos-centric music scene became overwhelming at a point in his career.

The singer said he eventually decided to shift his focus away from seeking validation from the wider industry and instead concentrate on the support he receives from his close circle.

He explained that the love from his family and loyal fans has become his main source of motivation.

“It got to a point I said I’m going to take my time and focus on my family and fans — the people who truly love me.”

Following his comments, fans on social media have shared mixed reactions.

While some agreed with his observation about Lagos being the centre of the Afrobeats industry, others argued that the genre has grown into a global movement with artists emerging from different parts of Nigeria and Africa.

The conversation continues online as many fans discuss the evolving structure of the Nigerian music industry.

FreeStuffsNG:
He is right.

Not only music, it is actually the whole entertainment industry in Nigeria nay Africa that is Lagos-centric and Yoruba-dominated.

Owambe is a Yoruba thing and engrained in the Yoruba culture.

Sibrah:
Owambe driven by fraudsters lifestyle and yahooPlus.

cityboylagos:
https://eyesoflagos.com/2026/03/12/omah-lay-afrobeats-lagos-yoruba-music-industry/

westside365:
We are talking about war, this one is talking about yoruba dominating music. E be like say dem dey ground pepper for him head. Mtcheww

Sibrah:
Owambe driven by fraudsters lifestyle and yahooPlus.

Sibrah:
Owambe driven by fraudsters lifestyle and yahooPlus.

FreeStuffsNG:
He is right.

Not only music, it is actually the whole entertainment industry in Nigeria nay Africa that is Lagos-centric and Yoruba-dominated.

Owambe is a Yoruba thing and engrained in the Yoruba culture.

Lyricalz01:
Timaya had a break through too, he is from bayeksa,
For me i think this music thing has evolve, there was a time when the music industry in nigeria was dominated by artist from the south south, especialy from delta, people like, daddy showkey, baba frayo, blacky, oriz wiliki, mike okri, just to mention a few, even during the time of konto, and galala, south south dominated.
But now the yorubas dominate afrobeat while the igbos domiinate nollywood,
Things change, the only thing thats constant is change.

Openyamind111:
Why this boy go talk wetin some people no like to hear.. . The chest beaters no dey wan hear say na Yoruba dey ahead..

cityboylagos:
https://eyesoflagos.com/2026/03/12/omah-lay-afrobeats-lagos-yoruba-music-industry/

esere826:
Afrobeat is Fela.

What we have now is afrobeats. It is different.

Openyamind111:
Why this boy go talk wetin some people no like to hear.. . The chest beaters no dey wan hear say na Yoruba dey ahead..

Basic123:
Igbo doesn't dominate nollywood!

PulaPower:
That Owambe lifestyle dey everly pain you guys ehh but we no send you..

Lyricalz01:
Timaya had a break through too, he is from bayeksa,
For me i think this music thing has evolve, there was a time when the music industry in nigeria was dominated by artist from the south south, especialy from delta, people like, daddy showkey, baba frayo, blacky, oriz wiliki, mike okri, just to mention a few, even during the time of konto, and galala, south south dominated.
But now the yorubas dominate afrobeat while the igbos domiinate nollywood,
Things change, the only thing thats constant is change.