The immense musical talent coming from Africa has truly come to the forefront in recent years. Afrobeats is a genre that has gained popularity all around the world, from superstars like WizKid and Burna Boy selling out arenas to recently highlighted musicians like Tems and Rema dominating the charts. Omah Lay is another musician that is making his mark on the Afrobeats genre. The Nigerian singer is traveling the world as part of his “Boy Alone” tour, mesmerizing listeners with his mellow voice and heartfelt melodies.
EARMILK had the opportunity to see Omah Lay perform live at The Regent in Downtown Los Angeles, where he was warmly welcomed by both longtime supporters and others who had just discovered his music. Afrobeats music generally creates atmospheres of enjoyment, dancing, and having a good time in the minds of listeners. Omah Lay’s broad catalog, however, expands on that idea.
He made his entrance stage left wearing a bright orange jumpsuit and blacked-out sunglasses, and was hailed by a crowd that was ecstatic to see him. “Attention”, his hit song with Justin Bieber which has amassed over 8 million views on YouTube, opened the performance. Throughout the night, Omah Lay managed to strike the ideal balance between energizing the crowd with some of his upbeat songs like “woman” and “never forget” while embracing his more emotional records like “i’m a mess,” which touches on the various emotional battles that come with rising fame.
His overall openness and willingness to engage with the audience won over many people. Whether that meant dancing with the entire audience, serenading a lovely lady in the front row, or showcasing his vulnerability through tracks that discuss the hardships of life.
Omah Lay has visited Australia, Germany, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, and is currently in the United States as part of his ‘Boy Alone’ tour. Yes, “Boy Alone” is a work by a musician that is frequently referred to as only belonging to the Afrobeats genre. In the same breath, Omah Lay has demonstrated his flexibility as an artist by embracing many melodies and discussions through this project, his stage presence, and constantly evolving artistic expression.
