Between the divine, desire, temptation, and a deep love for his roots, this is where Omah Lay moves on his new single “Waist,” an infectious and energetic song that highlights the versatility of Afrobeat and the warmth of a singer known in the music industry for turning the sounds of his homeland into a universal language.
The song rests on an intense percussive foundation typical of African music, complemented by guitars, basslines, and the voice of an artist who seems born to leave his mark on the rhythms of his continent.
The track, which blends English with rhythmic vocal chants and local expressions, is also accompanied by a music video filmed in Paris and directed by Lokmane, where the singer appears surrounded by women dancing sensually.
The visual piece opens in a sepia-toned space where the models play with warm paint and traditional garments, almost as a tribute to his homeland and its vast savannas, before moving through different settings where day and night set the video’s aesthetic rhythm.
Despite its apparent simplicity, “Waist” also works as an emotional snapshot in which Omah Lay reveals his inner contradiction. The spirituality that accompanies him and the temptation that disarms him, as if love, beauty, and excess were inevitable forces within his creative universe and recurring themes in his art.
That very blend is precisely what makes him a singular figure within contemporary Afro-fusion. Born in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, Omah Lay has built a career grounded both in West African rhythmic heritage and a modern sensibility closely tied to R&B and soul. From early hits like “Bad Influence” to the global phenomenon “Soso,” his style has been described as emotionally raw yet magnetically melodic, a formula that has allowed him to transcend borders without losing his identity.
In recent years, his name has become unavoidable on the international map. With billions of streams accumulated and high-profile collaborations alongside artists such as Tems, Kehlani, Tyla, Myke Towers, and Davido, Omah Lay has positioned himself as one of the most resonant African voices of his generation. His recent GRAMMY® nomination in the Best African Music Performance category not only confirms his global impact but also marks a turning point in his artistic narrative.
“Waist” is his first solo release since “Moving” (2024) and serves as a bridge toward his upcoming album “Clarity of Mind.” The project will explore in greater depth the themes that have continued to follow him, including growth, vulnerability, love, temptation, and the internal search for balance.
With an increasingly cinematic aesthetic and a sound that feels more refined without losing its roots, Omah Lay frames his work as a journey of self-discovery, where Afrobeat stands as a democratic protagonist that leaves room for unexpected blends and unlikely listeners hungry for different kinds of proposals.
photo / Danijel CVIJIC
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