Omah Lay talks his sophomore album Clarity of Mind and his journey to self-forgiveness.
Upon the release of his sophomore album, the Afrobeats megastar reflects on finding self-forgiveness in solitude and the studio.
Retreating from the spotlight has done wonders for Afrobeats sensation Omah Lay. “I’m addicted to art, I’m addicted to the high it brings. Being on stage, with all of that screaming, I’m addicted to it. So, for a moment, I just wanted to step back and fall in love again,” the 28-year-old artist says over Zoom from Lagos.
It’s no wonder Omah – full name Stanley Omah Didia – needed a breather. After leaving his life as a producer behind to pursue a solo career, his single Bad Influence was met with viral reception, sweeping social media and peaking at the number one spot on Nigeria’s Apple Music charts. That track became the launchpad for a career that would snowball toward international acclaim. When Lay’s debut album Boy Alone landed, things reached dizzying heights. The album’s sun-drenched, groove-inducing summer anthem soso was the most streamed song in Nigeria for the first half of 2023, amassing 381 million streams since its release. Justin Bieber even joined Lay on the collaborative attention – Bieber’s pop vocals layered over high-octane Afrobeats production made for an earwoming hit. After reaching the highest heights of success with his debut, he wanted to “experience life differently”, retreating from the spotlight in the process.
Now, after a three-year hiatus from album-making, he’s back with Clarity of Mind; the title stands as an honest reflection of the artist’s current state of mind. The studio is where Lay found solace and calm from an otherwise deafening cocktail of fame, fans and euphoric praise. The result has been a 12-track project, journeying through self-forgiveness, love and faith. The titles alone hint at the introspective thoughts that lie within. Artificial Happiness and Coping Mechanism reflect a journey towards true contentment, and Holy Ghost and Amen hope to offer an insight into the religious journey the artist has been on.
After completing his healing journey, Lay was ready to reunite with his fans. Across London, Lagos, Amsterdam, and other cities across the globe, the artist hosted intimate listening parties for select fans to hear the new project. Sharing a “very unique connection” with his supporters, this intimate reunion tour has included Q&As and even matching tattoos between Lay and attendees. With the promise of album number three coming later this year, and a global tour set to reunite Lay with his fandom, it’s safe to say that Lay is back, and feeling better than ever.
Lay joined EE72 from Lagos ahead of his album release to talk about how self-discovery and forgiveness allowed him to release his second album, and his grandfather’s influence on his career.
You’ve just landed in Lagos.
Yep, I just got back. I was with EE72 in London before this.
Yes, we filmed you at your listening event. How was the event?
It was cool. I’m back in Lagos, I got in last night. I came back to do the listening party and Spirit Warehouse Session here. I’ve done parties in London, Amsterdam, and Berlin. Lagos is the final stop.
Why do these events feel like the right moment to give your new album Clarity of Mind to the fans?
These events are the most authentic way to spend time with my fans, while we also listen to the album together. There’s a bunch of things going on: we’re getting matching tattoos, we’re doing body piercings. We did a Q&A, and we were having conversations. It’s my way of spending time with my fans and really connecting with them before the album drops. It feels right and authentic.
You’ve gotten matching tattoos with the fans? That’s crazy. Can you tell me about any of the ones you got?
[Shows a tattoo of a heart on his hand] It’s just love. Everybody’s getting the symbol of love; it’s very simple. It was like, ‘Right, let’s do this for life.’
Why was it important for you to have these events across the globe?
It’s important because I feel like I’ve stayed away for a minute. I’ve not been touring. I’ve not been releasing projects. I’ve not been posting on my social media. I’ve just been inside taking care of myself. Now I feel like I have so much energy and I’m ready to come back outside. For me to even have my project ready means that my energy is right where I’ve always wanted it to be. I was like, ‘Okay, cool, let’s go outside. It’s finally time to share what I have with the world.’ And of course, I have a global audience so it was more like, ‘Let me get in touch with everybody, everywhere.’ Also, it’s about making really good memories before this project drops. I have a very unique connection with my fans. It just feels right.
Is there a crowd you’ve connected with most through these listening events?
My London fans [are amazing]. I don’t want to shit on anyone else, but London really nailed it for me. London feels like home, so it’s easy. London understands the cultural impact because there are a lot of Nigerians there who love Afrobeats.
The album is called Clarity of Mind. Talk to me about what you’ve been doing to get your mind right during the creation of this album and how the album’s helped that process.
I’ve been spending time with myself. I wanted to experience life differently. I wanted to be away from the stage and the cameras. I just wanted to let go of that high for a minute and fall in love with the most natural thing: my family, a partner, and myself again. It’s not just the art and what the art brings; it’s really about who I am without the art. I wanted to go back to love. I wanted to go back to God. Also, I’ve wanted to heal for a long time. For a long time, I felt like I wasn’t stable enough when it came to my mental health. The only way I could escape my mental health issues was by creating art. I wanted to be stable and anchor myself. Everything goes back to love, which goes back to God. That’s been it.
I’ve read that the album covers fame, addiction, faith, and self-forgiveness, but from what you’re saying, it seems to be about love. Would you say love is the message you’re trying to convey to your fans?
To me, it’s more about forgiving myself. It’s about really living life and collecting a lot of experiences. And after collecting those experiences, I choose the most beautiful ones, and the ones that elevate me the most. I take them, and I share them with the world and my fans. That’s exactly what I’m doing with this album.
I have no shame when I’m in the studio. I have no insecurities. When I get there, I just let everything out. Creating is what keeps me sane
OMAH LAY
This is your sophomore album. How has this creative process looked compared to your first? Have there been changes?
The process has been fun so far. I don’t think I spend as much time making music because I make it pretty easily. Making music is my life. The album took a lot of time to come, but that’s because I’ve been spending most of that time with myself, learning about myself, handling real-life issues, and being in the moment. The music is always there. I just wanted to have experiences and live life away from the highs that I’m addicted to. I’m addicted to art, I’m addicted to the high it brings. Being on stage, with all of that screaming, I’m addicted to it. So, for a moment, I just wanted to step back and fall in love again.
You say the music comes pretty easily. Would you say that’s because you come from a musical family?
I come from a music-rich background. My grandfather used to play percussion forlegendary Nigerian Highlife singer Celestine Ukwu. I listen to him to this day. Growing up and having conversations with my mum about the things my grandfather did really helped me a lot. It gave me confidence. I understand that this is in my blood. The music probably comes naturally to me because of my family. But I believe that also happens because I’m honest. I have this child-like behaviour where I feel like a baby inside. I’m so open to whatever I’m facing, and I put everything in the music. When I’m in the studio, I’m God and the highest version of myself. I have no shame when I’m in the studio. I have no insecurities. When I get there, I just let everything out. Sometimes my head is wrapped around other things that take a lot of my energy, but most of the time, the studio is where I find peace. Creating is what keeps me sane.
It’s about really living life and collecting a lot of experiences. And after collecting those experiences, I choose the most beautiful ones and I share them with the world and my fans. That’s exactly what I’m doing with this album.
OMAH LAY
You’ve had collaborations with everyone from Tems to Tyla and beyond. Who is next?
I love Harry Styles, Rosalía, The Weeknd, Post Malone, and Bruno Mars. These are the next set of collaborations that I’m looking forward to.
The album is out now. Beyond that, in both life and work, what are you looking forward to and hoping to achieve next?
This year, I want to impact the world. I have a new-found energy. Music is music, and Afrobeats is Afrobeats. We’re going to go to the club, dance, and party all night. But it’s an energy I have that I want to share with the world. I can’t wait to see it manifest.
The R&B renaissance is underway The R&B renaissance is underway
The R&B renaissance is underway
Lindsay Perryman celebrates Trans Day Of Visibility with powerful portraits of some of their favourite creatives Lindsay Perryman celebrates Trans Day Of Visibility with powerful portraits of some of their favourite creatives
Lindsay Perryman celebrates Trans Day Of Visibility with powerful portraits of some of their favourite creatives
Photographer Ezekiel honours Trans Day Of Visibility with intimate portraits of UK creatives Photographer Ezekiel honours Trans Day Of Visibility with intimate portraits of UK creatives
Photographer Ezekiel honours Trans Day Of Visibility with intimate portraits of UK creatives
“The song is kind of a f*ck you to just… everything”: Julia Cumming on going solo “The song is kind of a f*ck you to just… everything”: Julia Cumming on going solo
“The song is kind of a f*ck you to just… everything”: Julia Cumming on going solo
Love looks good on Niall Horan Love looks good on Niall Horan
Love looks good on Niall Horan
The myth of the Antwerp Six, explained at last The myth of the Antwerp Six, explained at last
The myth of the Antwerp Six, explained at last
“Legacy? I don’t get it. It’s all about painting.” Hurvin Anderson “Legacy? I don’t get it. It’s all about painting.” Hurvin Anderson
“Legacy? I don’t get it. It’s all about painting.” Hurvin Anderson
Beyond the Tech Bro: The women building a different AI future Beyond the Tech Bro: The women building a different AI future
