Omah Lay Expresses Worry Over Afrobeats' Creative Direction, Cites Lack of Effort

Acclaimed Nigerian musician Omah Lay has voiced significant concerns regarding the current trajectory of the Afrobeats genre, suggesting a potential dilution of its artistic substance. During a recent interview with ViewsFrance, the singer articulated his apprehension that many artists are not investing sufficient effort into their craft.

He posited that the prevailing focus appears to be on generating rapid income rather than producing music with lasting impact.

"The thing that I fear for Afrobeats… is drifting towards a place where people are not putting in so much effort in the art anymore, and that is also hurting my culture," Omah Lay stated.

The artist further elaborated that a considerable number of musicians are neglecting the crucial steps of developing their unique sound and enhancing their creative output.

"People are just really playing with music these days and not digging into the sound… It’s just like quick money," he remarked.

Omah Lay also highlighted that this evolution in the music scene is beginning to influence both the audience's expectations and the creative approaches of emerging artists.

"Now the audience are used to a level of music, and that is what the new generation is growing into. So they are even doing worse," he added, expressing concern about the perpetuated cycle.

While acknowledging the significant global expansion of Afrobeats, he clarified that he does not attribute this shift solely to international recognition.

He characterized the worldwide embrace of African music as a positive phenomenon, noting its role in fostering greater cultural connections.

Nevertheless, he emphasized the necessity of striking a balance between achieving international success and upholding the quality and innovative spirit within the music industry.