Omah Lay: I grew up among criminals | my music is based on true events

Omah Lay, the Afrobeats singer, has opened up on his childhood struggles and how they shaped his music career. 

Speaking on the ‘Hey Steph’ podcast, Omah Lay said he grew up “among criminals” in Port Harcourt.

The singer, born Stanley Omah Didia, said his childhood experience influenced the kind of music he now puts out.

“I grew up among criminals at the marine base. And if you know that place very much, you’ll know that the place is where people don’t use to go out at the time I was growing up. I grew up around criminals and thugs. I grew up around pipeline illegal businesses and stuff. It was a lot of trouble for me. I mean it is part of the thing that has made me what I am today,” he said.

“Port Harcourt is just like me. I am Port Harcourt from the way I talk and act. It’s a rough and beautiful city. Everything is raw in Port Harcourt. You can tell that I am raw. The talents are raw. It is real life in Port Harcourt. I am just like a 100 percent representation of the Port Harcourt.”

Speaking on the inspiration behind ‘Boy Alone‘, his debut album, Omah Lay said “my music is real life”.

“One thing that I know is so unique about me is I make music with real life. I don’t think I have to always go through pain or that kind of situation to make a beautiful album, because my music is not hype. My music is real life. If you listen to my album, everything is real life,” he added.

“I make music with every situation I have found myself in. I am in a place where I feel so alive and I am gonna make music with it.”

Omah Lay started his music career at 15. He gained fame in 2020 following the release of hits ‘You’ and ‘Bad Influence’.

He has won a plethora of awards and recognition.

Last year, the singer revealed how he battled with depression while recording ‘Boy Alone’.