2020 Nigerian Music Review: Omah Lay the Breakout Super Star
The Nigerian music industry since 2010 have made it a culture to always unleash a new star every year, from Wizkid, Davido, Olamide, Kizz Daniel, Tekno, Teni and a host of others all claiming one year each for their respective breakout into the music scene. 2020, although a very odd year did not pass by without gifting the Nigerian Music industry a new breakout Star.
Entertainment was disrupted all through 2020; leading to limited number of shows and money made by artist in the Nigerian music scene. To some, it is the year they never want to see again in their lives. While to people like Omah Lay, whose real names are Stanley Omah Didia has everything to thank God for.
Being a unique year, many artist had to rely on streaming platforms, Radio and TV stations for their songs to be heard. Naturally that limits the chances of an upcoming artiste looking to become a mega stars. But Omah Lay with the help of his home record label: KeyQaad records were able to beat the odds.
Although notable artiste like Cheque, Bella Shumurder, Ckay are all very good names to mention when we are talking about breakout stars, Omah Lay beats them all because of the impact of his music and recently his personal life. Success is always a product of different piece highlights and below are some highlights that made Omah Lay 2020 Breakout Super Star.
THE RELEASE OF TWO DOPE PROJECTS
In May 2020, Omah Lay released his first project which was the Get Layed EP. The project of five songs was characterized with a unique vocal and sound style. His very audible voice and style allowed his songs to be easily learnt by many and in no time became a massive street hit. In one swing, Omah Lay grew from becoming a sound cloud music act to the most talked about musician.
366 days is a long time for someone to keep his impact in the music industry even when one has a really good project. Hence the release of his second project which was also a five track EP had even a better effect. Released very close to the end of year festive period, Omah Lay became that artist that everybody was waiting for in parties. It brought back the experience that people felt when Tekno blew into the music scene. His songs were played back to back by DJs throughout Nigeria.
THE SHOW OF MANAGERIAL CLASS AND SENSE
Omah Lay has talent but one thing that stood out was how KeyQaad and Warner Music Group managed his ten tracks. When you find an artist who is good and has ten hit tracks, many things could go good-but in most occasion it goes bad because of managerial flaws. That was not the case of Omah Lay and his team. They cashed out by infecting the music community with two projects at two different ends of the year. This made Nigerians and the world feel his full musical influence in two waves just like the Corona Virus.
Further More, when an artiste blows into limelight, there is this pull by many to use already big stars to increase their profile. This is achieved by featuring big names. However this plan have always back fired because most times, the bigger stars always takes the shine away from the newly blown star. Omah Lay and the management of KeyQaad where not going to allow this happen to Omah Lay who featured only one artist in his two projects. Instead he has been a feature guest in two high profile collaborations.
“Infinity” and “Pami” which featured mega Nigerian stars like: Olamide, Adekunle Gold, Wizkid and DJ Tunez respectively was just some good chess move. That feature made him eclipse his pairs in one sweep. Also, featuring America Trap/RnB pop star: 6lack was another game changer. Omah Lay and 6lack share some similarities in their ability to liquefy Rap music into RnB – KeyQaad and Warner Music group noticed it. That feature for “Damn Remix” was a super dope managerial move.
A TOUCH OF CONTROVERSY
The late Micheal Jackson of blessed memory was/is regarded as the greatest entertainer of all time and it came at a cost. He always had controversy from left, right and center. The rule in music entertainment is that in as much as you are good, pray for some elements of controversy and drama. Because it boasts your talk about level in the minds of many.
Omah Lay was blessed with a really good one in the later stage of 2020. There is nothing like bad press and having it in Uganda was just Omah Lay musical god and luck working for him. Although no one wishes to be arrested and detained in another country, we must agree that the PR that that singular event did for him was just epic. It even rubbed off on fellow music artiste: Tems.
In summary, 2020, the Corona year was Omah Lay’s year and nature was not even a force that could stop him from flying. Congratulations to him and his team.
2020 Nigerian Music Review: Omah Lay, the Breakout Super Star
