Afrobeats star Omah Stanley Didia, professionally known as Omah Lay, has sparked conversation after describing the Nigerian music industry as a deeply polarized space. Speaking in a revealing interview with the American media outlet The Fader, the “Soso” singer claimed that the industry is currently split into two warring camps: those loyal to Davido and those loyal to Wizkid.
Omah Lay expressed his frustration with this binary structure, suggesting that the “Big 3″—Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Davido—have maintained an “old pattern” of leadership that no longer serves the evolving genre. His comments reflect a growing sentiment among younger artists who feel the need to break away from the long-standing rivalry that has dominated the scene for over a decade.
Breaking ties with the ‘Big 3’
In a bold move that caught many by surprise, Omah Lay revealed that he previously unfollowed the industry’s three biggest heavyweights on social media. He explained that this wasn’t necessarily due to personal animosity, but rather a protest against the direction in which they were leading the Afrobeats movement.
“The whole Nigerian Afrobeats scene is very separated. It’s like if you’re with Davido, you’re on one side; if you’re with Wizkid, you’re on the other. Back in 2024, I actually unfollowed Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Davido. I felt like they started something with Afrobeats that we needed, but it was an old pattern.”
Defending Davido against ‘wealth-based’ hate
Despite his critique of the industry’s division, Omah Lay spoke warmly about his personal experiences with Davido. He recalled their collaboration on the track “With You,” describing the process as “natural” and organic. This working relationship allowed him to see a side of the DMW boss that the public often misses.
Omah Lay argued that much of the criticism directed at Davido stems from his affluent background. He claimed that the “Unavailable” crooner has “a lot of haters” simply because he was born into wealth, even though he works as hard as anyone else in the game.
A driving force that stands out
According to Omah Lay, Davido’s relentless work ethic is his most defining trait. He noted that despite having “nothing to prove to anybody,” the singer’s drive remains a major force in African music. This internal motivation, Omah Lay suggests, is what keeps Davido at the top of the charts despite the polarized nature of the fan bases.
While Omah Lay continues to push for a more unified industry, his insights provide a rare look into the internal pressures faced by contemporary Nigerian artists. The debate over the “Wizkid vs Davido” divide continues to be a central theme in the culture, influencing everything from chart positions to international collaborations.
