I Don’t Feel Loved – Omah Lay

Omah Lay who’s known for his hit song “Boy Alone,” has opened up about his struggles in the music industry, revealing a side of fame that many fans might not expect. Despite his growing success and dedicated fanbase, Omah Lay has shared that he feels a significant lack of support from the media and industry gatekeepers.

In a revealing interview with Amazon Music, Omah Lay discussed the emotional toll this has taken on him, saying, “I have my fans, family, and team but I don’t feel loved especially by the media and the people that call themselves the gatekeepers.” His candid words shed light on the often unseen pressures that come with being in the spotlight.

To cope with these challenges, Omah Lay admitted to retreating into a “fantasy world” as a form of escape. “This is something I’ve never talked about. I’m that artist that lives in a fantasy world. I just live in my head 90 percent of the time,” he confessed. This reveals the mental and emotional isolation that can come with fame, where the adoration of fans may not be enough to counteract the feeling of being unsupported by the very industry that helped build his career.

Omah Lay also touched on the difficulties of being a Nigerian artist traveling internationally. He highlighted the harsh realities of holding a Nigerian passport, sharing his experiences of mistreatment at the hands of immigration officers. “Travelling, especially being a Nigerian and having the Nigerian passport, I have just seen the cruelty of the world so much,” he said. He pointed out that his treatment only changes when officials recognize him as Omah Lay, illustrating the broader challenges Nigerian citizens face on a global scale.

This interview provides a glimpse into the complexities of Omah Lay’s life beyond the music, painting a picture of an artist who, despite his success, still battles with feelings of alienation and frustration. His words resonate with the experiences of many artists who navigate the demanding and often unforgiving terrain of the music industry, particularly in a global context where nationality can influence treatment.

As Omah Lay continues to make waves in Afrobeats, his honesty about his struggles serves as a reminder that the journey to the top is often fraught with unseen challenges. His ability to share these vulnerabilities may inspire a broader conversation about the mental health of artists and the role of the media and industry in supporting them.