Nigerian singer Omah Lay has expressed concerns about the state of the afrobeats genre, stating that it is no longer in safe hands. In a recent interview on the Zach Sang Show, Omah Lay lamented that the genre is being diluted to appeal to foreign audiences and becoming overly commercial.
He attributed this to the lucrative nature of the genre, which he believes is driving artists to prioritize money over passion. “There is too much money in Afrobeats. Afrobeats artists are just trying to grab the money,” he said.
Omah Lay’s comments come amidst growing criticism of the afrobeats genre, with some critics accusing it of lacking substance. Jamaican reggae artist Buju Banton recently described afrobeats as “f*ckery” and predicted that it would fade with time.
Omah Lay’s concerns highlight the need for artists and industry stakeholders to reflect on the direction of the genre and ensure that it remains true to its roots while still evolving and innovating.