Omah Lay Expresses Concern Over Afrobeats’ Future, Says Genre Is Under Threat
Nigerian singer Omah Lay has voiced concerns about the current state of Afrobeats, warning that the genre is becoming increasingly commercialized and losing its authenticity.
During an appearance on the Zach Sang Show, Omah Lay shared his worries that Afrobeats is being diluted to cater to foreign audiences, which he believes is compromising the genre’s original essence. He stated that the genre is no longer in “safe hands” due to its growing commercial appeal.
“There is too much money in Afrobeats. Afrobeats artists are just trying to grab the money,” Omah Lay said, lamenting that many artists are now more focused on financial gain than on creating music with passion.
He added, “I believe people are messing Afrobeats up. I also believe it is becoming very commercial. Right now, I don’t believe Afrobeats is in safe hands.”
Omah Lay’s comments come amid a broader conversation about the direction of Afrobeats. Recently, Jamaican reggae icon Buju Banton also criticized the genre, describing it in harsh terms and predicting that it would eventually fade away.
As Afrobeats continues to gain international recognition, debates about its evolution and the balance between artistic integrity and commercial success are becoming increasingly prominent.
