Nigerian singer Omah Lay has sparked controversy after claiming that the Afrobeats genre is mainly for Yorubas and people from other ethnic groups struggle to break into the Lagos music scene.

Omah Lay said that, coming from Port Harcourt, he had to work hard to earn a spot in the Lagos music industry, which felt exhausting at times.

Speaking at the listening party of his forthcoming album, ‘Clarity Of Mind,’ the singer explained that he is currently at a point where he no longer seeks validation from the Lagos or global music industry, adding that he is content with the love of his fans and family.

“Afrobeats is mainly Lagos. It is mainly the Yorubas. Fela Kuti is the pioneer, we all know that, and he is Yoruba. I am from Port Harcourt, and you have to break into Lagos. There are only two people from PH that you know: Burna Boy and me.

“It got to a point I am like, you know what? I am going to take my time and look at my family and fans, people who really love me, and I am going to stay there. The rest of you, the rest of the world, don’t love me. F**k off. That is it,” he said.