Omah Lay

2022-07-22T00:59:30Z

216.200.84.6:

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Short description|Nigerian singer}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Omah Lay
| image = Omah Lay at the Headies - cropped.png
| caption =
| birth_name = Omah Lay
| birth_date = {{ Birth date and age|df=yes|1997|5|19}}
| birth_place = [[Rivers State|Port Harcourt]], Nigeria
| genre = {{hlist|[[Afrobeats]]|[[contemporary R&B|R&B]]}}
| label = {{hlist|[[Sire Records]]{{dn|date=June 2022}}|[[KeyQaad]]}}
| associated_acts = [[Justin Bieber]]

| years_active = 2019{{ndash}}present
| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|Songwriter|Record producer}}
| alias =
}}

'''Omah Lay''' (born 19 May 1997) is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer. He gained widespread recognition in early 2020 after his self-produced single, "Bad Influence", went viral on social media.<ref name="Falola">{{Cite web|last=Falola|first=Ifeoluwa|date=15 June 2020|title=Meet Omah Lay: The Brazen Bad Boy of New School Afrobeat|url=https://notjustok.com/article/interviews/meet-omah-lay-the-brazen-bad-boy-of-new-school-afrobeats/|url-status=live|access-date=5 April 2021|website=[[NotJustOk]]|language=en-US}}</ref> He is also known for being featured alongside Alpha P on the official [[Masterkraft (producer)|Masterkraft]]'s remix of [[Justin Bieber]]'s 2021 single, "[[Peaches (Justin Bieber song)|Peaches]]", as well as another collaboration with the latter on "[[Attention (Omah Lay and Justin Bieber song)|Attention]]" in 2022. Lay won the [[The Headies Award for Next Rated|Next Rated]] award at the [[The Headies 2020|2020 Headies Awards]].<ref name="Oluwatoye">{{Cite web|last=Oluwatoye|first=Dara|date=22 February 2021|title=Fireboy, Omah Lay, More Make Impressive Win Debut At The 14th Headies|url=https://thenet.ng/fireboy-omah-lay-dj-neptune-and-more-make-impressive-win-debut-at-the-14th-headies/|url-status=live|access-date=5 April 2021|website=[[Nigerian Entertainment Today]]|language=en-US}}</ref>

== Early life ==
Omah Lay is from [[Ikwerre, Rivers|Ikwerre]] Local Government Area in [[Rivers State]].<ref name="Falola" /> He attended Comprehensive High School in [[Rivers State]] before proceeding to the [[University of Port Harcourt]].<ref name="BBC News Pidgin">{{Cite news|title=Interesting facts about Nigerian musician Omah Lay|work=BBC News Pidgin|url=https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/tori-55313562|access-date=5 April 2021}}</ref> He comes from a musical family and his grandfather played instruments for the singer [[Celestine Ukwu]] before he died in 1977. Lay's father played the drums.<ref>{{cite news |last1=omah lay |title=early life of omah lay |newspaper=BBC News Pidgin |url=https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/tori-55313562 |access-date=24 April 2021}}</ref>

== Career ==
Lay started out in a rap group under the stage name "Lil King." He later moved on to songwriting and music producing, which went largely uncredited, and as a result of that, he released "Do Not Disturb" in April 2019. "Hello Brother" was released a month after.

He signed to a record label named KeyQaad in June 2019, and took a seven month break.<ref name="Falola" /><ref name=" Olonilua">{{Cite web|last=Olonilua|first=Ademola|date=14 December 2020|title=New kids on the block: Omah Lay, Laycon, Bella Shmurda and other artistes who made waves in 2020|url=https://punchng.com/new-kids-on-the-block-omah-lay-laycon-bella-shmurda-and-other-artists-who-made-waves-in-2020/|url-status=live|access-date=5 April 2021|website=[[The Punch|Punch Newspapers]]|language=en-US}}</ref> During the break, he worked on his debut EP, ''Get Layd.'' He told [[OkayAfrica]], "I started working on it August [of 2019]. At some point I had to go off social media, stay away from a lot of things and keep my head straight to get the project right. The first song I'd recorded on ''Get Layd'' was 'Bad Influence.' I'd done that way before the songs we had to put on the project."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Esomnofu |first1=Emmanuel |title=Interview: Omah Lay Is Nigeria's New Young Act to Watch|url=https://www.okayafrica.com/omah-lay-nigeria-interview |website=OkayAfrica |date=6 July 2020 |access-date=18 June 2021}}</ref> Following the break, he released "Bad Influence," which became the most streamed Nigerian song on Apple Music at the end of 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Alake|first=Motolani|date=27 December 2020|title=Here are the 10 hottest Nigerian artists of the year [Pulse Picks 2020]|url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/here-are-the-top-10-nigerian-artists-of-2020/6b5nyfs|url-status=live|access-date=5 April 2021|website=Pulse Nigeria|language=en-US}}</ref>

On 14 February 2020, Lay released "You," his first official single. He released his five-track debut EP, ''Get Layd'' on 22 May 2020. The EP peaked at number one on the Nigerian [[Apple Music]] charts.<ref name="Falola" /> All five songs from the EP reached the top 15 of the Apple Music charts for Nigeria, with "You" peaking at number one.<ref>{{cite web |title=Apple Music Nigeria Top 100 Songs – May 25-May 31, 2020 |url=https://www.top-charts.com/songs/all-genres/nigeria/apple-music/2020-W22 |website=top-charts.com |access-date=18 June 2021}}</ref>

In October, Lay appeared on [[Olamide]]'s album ''[[Carpe Diem (Olamide album)|Carpe Diem]]'', on the track "Infinity", which topped the Apple Music charts for Nigeria.<ref>{{cite web |title=Apple Music Nigeria Top 100 Songs – October 19-25, 2020 |url=https://www.top-charts.com/songs/all-genres/nigeria/apple-music/2020-W43 |website=top-charts.com |access-date=18 June 2021}}</ref>

On 20 November, Lay released his second five-track EP, ''What Have We Done''. All five tracks reached the top 12 of the Apple Music charts for Nigeria, with "Godly" reaching number one.<ref>{{cite web |title=Apple Music Nigeria Top 100 Songs – November 23-29, 2020 |url=https://www.top-charts.com/songs/all-genres/nigeria/apple-music/2020-W48 |website=top-charts.com |access-date=18 June 2021}}</ref>

On 3 July 2020, Lay was the first artist highlighted for Apple's Africa Rising Campaign to spotlight African talent.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Eggertsen|first=Chris|date=2 July 2020|title=Apple Music Launches Africa Rising Artist Showcase with Debut Cover Star Omah Lay|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/streaming/9413058/apple-music-africa-rising-artist-showcase-omah-lay|url-status=live|access-date=5 April 2021|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The African stars being tipped for global success in 2021 and beyond |url=https://xclusivehype.com/entertainment/the-african-stars-being-tipped-for-global-success-in-2021-and-beyond/ |website=XclusiveHype |access-date=25 July 2021}}</ref> In December 2020, he was included in [[BBC Radio 1Xtra]]'s annual "Hot for 2021" list.<ref>{{cite web |title=1Xtra's Hot For 2021: The Performances |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/5Yrs6gybH9mL0nXPjH2Hpst/1xtras-hot-for-2021-the-performances |website=BBC Radio 1Xtra |access-date=18 June 2021}}</ref> He was the first African artist featured on [[Audiomack]]'s #Up Now program for emerging artists;<ref>{{cite web |last1=Scott |first1=Nicolas-Tyrell |title=Omah Lay Is #UpNow |url=https://audiomack.com/world/post/omah-lay-interview |website=Audiomack |access-date=18 June 2021}}</ref> was included in [[Montreux Jazz Festival]]'s "20 artists to watch in 2021";<ref>{{cite web |title=MJF Spotlight: 20 artists to watch in 2021 |url=https://www.montreuxjazzfestival.com/en/news/20-artists-to-watch/ |website=Montreux Jazz Festival |date=2 February 2021 |access-date=18 June 2021}}</ref> and was named [[BET]]'s Amplified International Artist of the Month for November 2020.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Alston |first1=Trey |title=BET's Amplified International Artist of the Month Omah Lay Releases Sultry New Single Featuring 6LACK |url=https://www.bet.com/music/2020/11/09/bet-amplified-international-artist-of-the-month-omah-lay-6lack-d.html |website=BET}}</ref> He is currently signed to Dvpper Music Distribution in Nigeria,<ref name="Olonilua" /><ref name=" BBC News Pidgin" /> and [[Sire Records]] for international distribution.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Oyetayo |first1=Bamise |title=Did You Know Omah Lay is Signed to Warner Records? |url=https://notjustok.com/article/did-you-know-omah-lay-is-signed-to-warner-records/ |website=NotJustOk |date=7 November 2020 |access-date=18 June 2021}}</ref> He was nominated in four categories at the 2020 [[The Headies 2020|Headies]] Awards, winning the [[The Headies Award for Next Rated|Next Rated]] award.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ihekire|first=Chinonso|date=16 January 2021|title=The Voices Redefining Naija Music|url=https://guardian.ng/life/the-voices-redefining-naija-music/|url-status=live|access-date=5 April 2021|website=[[The Guardian (Nigeria)]]|language=en-US}}</ref>

On 25 June 2021, Lay was featured alongside fellow Nigerian singer Alpha P on Nigerian producer [[Masterkraft (producer)|Masterkraft]]'s official remix of Canadian singer [[Justin Bieber]]'s single, "[[Peaches (Justin Bieber song)|Peaches]]". On 8 July 2021, Lay released a new single, "Understand".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hansen |first1=Gabrielle Myers |title=Omah Lay releases Understand single |url=https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/nigeria-omah-lay-releases-understand-single |website=Music in Africa |date=9 July 2021 |access-date=11 July 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Abulude|first=Samuel|date=5 August 2021|title=Meet 7 Young Nigerian Artistes With Impacts In 2021|url=https://leadership.ng/meet-7-young-nigerian-artistes-with-impacts-in-2021/|access-date=5 August 2021|website=Leadership News – Nigeria News, Breaking News, Politics and more|language=en-GB}}</ref> On 3 March 2022, he released a collaboration with Bieber, "[[Attention (Omah Lay and Justin Bieber song)|Attention]]", which serves as the second collaboration between the two artists.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/omah-lay-justin-bieber-attention-single-afrobeats-interview-1235038302/|title=Omah Lay Talks Reuniting With Justin Bieber and Bringing More 'Attention' to Afrobeats Music|work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|last=Mamo|first=Heran|date=4 March 2022|accessdate=4 March 2022}}</ref>

== Controversy ==
On 14 December 2020, Lay was arrested alongside [[Tems (Nigerian singer)|Tems]] after they performed in a show in [[Uganda]]. The Ugandan Police authority identified violation of COVID-19 lockdown protocols as the reason for their arrests. The artists felt they were set up.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Why Uganda Police do U-turn for Omah Lay release, tie am 'handcuffs'|work=BBC News Pidgin|url=https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/tori-55265376|access-date=5 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=14 December 2020|title=Nigerian star Omah Lay arrested after Uganda gig|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/12/nigerian-star-omah-lay-arrested-after-uganda-gig/|url-status=live|access-date=5 April 2021|website=[[Vanguard (Nigeria)]]|language=en-US}}</ref> Two days later, the Ugandan government released the two, apologized for the arrests and cleared them of wrongdoing.<ref name="Paulinus">{{cite news |last1=Paulinus |first1=Aidoghie |title=Uganda apologises to FG over arrest of singer Omah Lay, others |url=https://www.sunnewsonline.com/uganda-apologises-to-fg-over-arrest-of-singer-omah-lay-others/ |access-date=15 June 2021 |publisher=The Sun (Nigeria) |date=16 December 2020}}</ref>

== Political views ==

Lay has expressed his support for the [[End SARS|#EndSARS]] campaign in Nigeria. He told ''[[Harper's Bazaar]]'', "People need to know these protests are purely about the people, with no political undertone whatsoever. Police harass, extort, beat, and kill us just for being young and trendy, with no consequences. This has gone on long enough, and we are saying enough is enough and demanding government action."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cohn |last2=Marsh |first1=Alison S. |first2=Ariana |title=Yvonne Orji, Wale, Sharon Chuter and More on #EndSARS |url=https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/politics/a34479702/end-sars-nigerian-creatives/ |website=Harper's Bazaar |date=26 October 2020 |accessdate=4 November 2020}}</ref>

== Discography ==

===Studio albums===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align: center;"
|-
! scope="col" style="width:12em;" | Title
! scope="col" style="width:19em;" | Album details
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Boy Alone]]''
|
* Scheduled: 15 July 2022
* Label: [[Sire Records|Sire]], KeyQaad
* Format: [[Music download|Digital download]], [[streaming media|streaming]]
|}

===Extended plays===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align: center;"
|-
! scope="col" style="width:12em;" | Title
! scope="col" style="width:19em;" | Extended play details
|-
! scope="row" | ''Get Layd''<ref name="Falola"/>
|
* Released: 22 May 2020
* Label: Sire, KeyQaad
* Format: Digital download, streaming
|-
! scope="row" | ''What Have We Done''<ref>{{Cite web|last=Onabanjo|first=Adedamola|date=20 November 2020|title=Omah Lay's 'What Have We Done' Builds On The Momentum of His Stellar Year|url=https://culturecustodian.com/omah-lay-what-have-we-done/|url-status=live|access-date=5 April 2021|website=The Culture Custodian|language=en-US}}</ref>
|
* Released: 20 November 2020
* Label: Sire, KeyQaad
* Format: Digital download, streaming
|}

===Singles===
====As lead artist====
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions, sales, certifications, showing year released and album name
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:20em;"| Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:1em;"| Year
! scope="col" colspan="7"| Peak chart positions
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album
|-
! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;"| [[Canadian Hot 100|CAN]] <ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/justin-bieber/chart-history/can/| title=Justin Bieber Chart History: Billboard Canadian Hot 100 | magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | access-date=15 March 2022}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;"| [[Irish Singles Chart|IRE]] <ref>{{cite web | url=http://irish-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Omah+Lay | title=Discography Omah Lay | work=irish-charts.com | access-date=11 March 2022}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;"| [[Official New Zealand Music Chart|NZ Hot]] <ref>{{cite web | url=https://charts.nz/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Omah+Lay | title=Discography Omah Lay | work=charts.nz | access-date=11 March 2022}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;"| [[Sverigetopplistan|SWE]] <ref>{{cite web | url=http://swedishcharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Omah+Lay | title=Discography Omah Lay | work=swedishcharts.com | access-date=11 March 2022}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;"| [[UK Singles Chart|UK]] <ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/6002/justin-bieber/ | title=Justin Bieber – Official Charts Company | publisher=[[Official Charts Company]] | access-date=11 March 2022}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;"| [[Bubbling Under Hot 100|US Bub.]] <ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/justin-bieber/chart-history/hbu/ | title=Justin Bieber Chart History: Bubbling Under Hot 100 | magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | access-date=15 March 2022}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;"| [[Billboard Global 200|WW]] <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/justin-bieber/chart-history/glo/|title=Justin Bieber Chart History: Global 200|work=Billboard|access-date=22 March 2022}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| "Do Not Disturb"
| rowspan="2" | 2019
| — || — || — || — || — || — || —
| rowspan="2" {{N/A|Non-album singles}}
|-
! scope="row"| "Hello Brother"
| — || — || — || — || — || — || —
|-
! scope="row"| "Bad Influence"
| rowspan="3" | 2020
| — || — || — || — || — || — || —
| rowspan="3" | ''Get Layd''
|-
! scope="row"| "You"
| — || — || — || — || — || — || —
|-
! scope="row"| "Damn"
| — || — || — || — || — || — || —
|-
! scope="row"| "Forever" (Remix) {{small|(with [[Gyakie]])}}
| rowspan="4" | 2021
| — || — || — || — || — || — || —
| {{N/A|Non-album single}}
|-
! scope="row"| "Understand"
| — || — || — || — || — || — || —
| ''Boy Alone''
|-
! scope="row"| "Free My Mind"
| — || — || — || — || — || — || —
| rowspan="2" {{N/A|Non-album singles}}
|-
! scope="row"| "Winter Wonderland / Don't Worry Be Happy"
| — || — || — || — || — || — || —
|-
! scope="row"| "[[Attention (Omah Lay and Justin Bieber song)|Attention]]" {{small|(with [[Justin Bieber]])}}
| rowspan="2" | 2022
| 45 || 78 || 9 || 87 || 76 || 11 || 74
| rowspan="2" | ''Boy Alone''
|-
! scope="row"| "Woman"
| — || — || — || — || — || — || —
|-
| colspan="10" style="font-size:90%"| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
|}

====As featured artist====
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+List of singles as featured artist, with selected chart positions and certifications shown
! scope="col" rowspan="1"| Title
! scope="col" rowspan="1"| Year
! scope="col" rowspan="1"| Album
|-
! scope="row"| "Tonight" {{Small|([[Spinall]] featuring Omah Lay)}}
| rowspan="2" | 2020
| ''Grace''
|-
! scope="row"| "Pami" {{Small|([[DJ Tunez]] featuring [[Wizkid]], [[Adekunle Gold]], and Omah Lay)}}
| {{N/A|Non-album single}}
|-
! scope="row"| "Pronto" {{Small|(Ajebo Hustlers featuring Omah Lay)}}
| rowspan="2" | 2021
| ''Kpos Lifestyle, Vol. 1''
|-
! scope="row"| "[[Peaches (Justin Bieber song)|Peaches]]" ([[Masterkraft (producer)|Masterkraft]] Remix) {{Small|([[Justin Bieber]] featuring Alpha P and Omah Lay)}}
| {{N/A|Non-album single}}
|}

===Guest appearances===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of non-single guest appearances, with other performing artists, showing year released and album name
! scope="col" style="width:15em;" | Title
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Other artist(s)
! scope="col" | Album
|-
! scope="row" | "Infinity"
| 2020
| [[Olamide]]
| ''[[Carpe Diem (Olamide album)|Carpe Diem]]''
|-
! scope="row" | "Abeg"
| 2021
| [[DJ Neptune]], [[Joeboy]]
| ''Greatness 2.0''
|}

===Production discography===
====2018====
'''Kidoben Ace'''
* "Caught Up"

====2019====
'''Klug Ali'''
* "Opium"

'''Sikiboi'''
* "One Day"

====2020====
'''Omah Lay – ''Get Layd'''''
*2. "Lo Lo"
*4. "Bad Influence"

'''Moveek'''
* "Flossin"

'''Omah Lay – ''What Have We Done'''''
*4. "Confession"

====2021====
'''Jhay Jhay'''
* "Welcum Party"

== Awards and nominations ==
{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!Award
!Category
!Nominee/work
!Result
!Ref
|-
| rowspan="4" |2020
| rowspan="4" |[[The Headies 2020|The Headies]]
|[[The Headies Award for Next Rated|Next Rated]]
| rowspan="2" |Omah Lay
|{{won}}
|<ref name="Oluwatoye" />
|-
|[[The Headies Award for Viewer's Choice|Viewer's Choice]]
|{{nom}}
| rowspan="3" |<ref>{{Cite news|title=See full list of Headies 2020 award nomination|work=BBC News Pidgin|url=https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/tori-55040703|access-date=5 April 2021}}</ref>
|-
|[[The Headies Award for Best R&B Single|Best R&B Single]]
|"Bad Influence"
|{{nom}}
|-
|Songwriter of the Year
|Stanley Omah Didia – "Bad Influence"
|{{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="8" |2021
|[[Vodafone Ghana Music Awards|Ghana Music Awards]]
|Best African Artiste of the Year
| rowspan="2" | Omah Lay
|{{TBA}}
|<ref>{{Cite web|date=4 April 2021|title=Full List: Here are the nominees for the 2021 Ghana Music Awards|url=https://www.pulse.com.gh/entertainment/music/full-list-here-are-the-nominees-for-the-2021-ghana-music-awards/7whwp48|access-date=5 April 2021|website=Pulse Ghana|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|[[MTV Africa Music Awards 2021|MTV Africa Music Awards]]
|[[MTV Africa Music Award for Best Breakthrough Act|Best Breakthrough Act]]
|{{pending}}
|<ref>{{cite web |title=Here Are the 2021 MTV Africa Music Awards Nominees |url=https://www.okayafrica.com/mtv-africa-music-awards-2021-nominees-announced/ |website=OkayAfrica |access-date=1 July 2021 |language=en |date=11 December 2020}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2" |[[Net Honours]]
|Most Played Pop Song
|<nowiki>''</nowiki>Godly"
|{{won}}
| rowspan="2" |<ref>{{Cite web|title=Net Honours – The Class of 2021|url=https://thenet.ng/net-honours-class-of-2021/|url-status=live|access-date=21 July 2021|website=[[Nigerian Entertainment Today]]|language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|Most Played RnB Song
|"Pami"
{{Small|([[DJ Tunez]] featuring Wizkid [[Adekunle Gold]] & Omah Lay)}}
|{{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="4" |[[All Africa Music Awards|All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA)]]
|Artiste of the Year in Africa
| rowspan="3" |Omah Lay
|{{nominated}}
| rowspan="4" |<ref>{{Cite news|title=Afrima Nominations 2021 - See full list of nominees|work=BBC News Pidgin|url=https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/world-58668545|access-date=2021-09-26}}</ref>
|-
|Best Artiste in Western Africa
|{{nominated}}
|-
|Breakout Artiste of the Year
|{{nominated}}
|-
|Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Pop
|
|{{nominated}}
|-
|2021
|Afro X Digitals Awards
|Break Out Act of the Year
|Omah Lay
|{{win}}
|<ref>{{cite web |title=Afrodigital Award winners |url= https://www.afroxdigital.com/winners-details.php?nominees-token=MYB742095861 |website=AfroxDigital.com}}</ref>
|-
|}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lay, Omah}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:21st-century Nigerian singers]]
[[Category:1997 births]]

Wikipedia - Benutzerbeiträge [de]

Omah Lay