Afro-fusion star Omah Lay releases his debut album Boy Alone on KeyQaad Records. The long-awaited follow-up to 2020’s What Have We Done EP collects 14 hypnotic songs that showcase the Nigerian singer’s intimate songwriting, powerful hooks, and sweet vocals. The release coincides with an astonishing wave of momentum that suggests Omah Lay is an international star in the making. Listen to Boy Alone HERE.
“Boy Alone primarily describes my life being an entertainer and stereotypically expected to be extroverted but on the contrary, I find company within and that’s where this album was made from; it’s also a tribute to my Dad who went by that nickname among his peers for being a man that lived on his own terms. I guess the apple never falls too far from the tree…”
Boy Alone is a testament to Omah Lay’s keen pop instincts and star quality. Even when appearing next to a global superstar Justin Bieber on “Attention,” his effortless cool allows him to shine bright. Omah Lay slips between vibes with ease, demonstrating his range as a storyteller and a curator of intimate moods. Steamy, slow-burning songs like “Bend You” are supplemented by gentle love songs like “Woman” and “Tell Everybody” featuring Tay Iwar.
There are also pensive, heart-aching ruminations like “I’m A Mess” and “I.” Boy Alone may only be Omah Lay’s debut album, but its untempered ambition and cohesion are indicators of his limitless potential as an artist. Boy Alone was preceded by a hot streak of singles that included “Woman,” “Attention,” and “Understand” — tracks that garnered attention from The New York Times, HYPEBEAST, The FADER, Billboard, NME, and more. In recognition of his talent and hard work, Omah was nominated at the 2022 NAACP Image Awards for “Outstanding International Song.”
Omah Lay has kept a busy schedule in 2022. His Boy Alone world tour, which kicked off in late March, has taken him to Australia, Germany, France, Italy, the U.K., and more. After a sold-out New York headline show last year, fans are anxiously anticipating his return since recently announcing North American tour dates this fall. See the schedule below. 2021 was a landmark year for Afropop as homegrown stars reached new levels of international visibility and acclaim. With Boy Alone, Omah Lay proves he’s well on his way to global stardom.
BOY ALONE TRACKLIST:
1. recognize
2. i
3. bend you
4. woman
5. i’m a mess
6. temptations
7. understand
8. never forget
9. safe haven
10. attention (with Justin Bieber)
11. soso
12. how to luv
13. tell everybody (feat. Tay Iwar)
14. purple song
With his darkly sparkling vocals, evocative storytelling, and contagious rhythms, Omah Lay is one of Nigeria’s most talked about innovators. The 25-year-old singer and producer’s brand of Afro-fusion effortlessly pulls from his deeply personal history with West Africa’s percussion-heavy highlife genre, as well as his enthusiasm for the popular sounds of his generation—from classic rap to the Afro-beats empire flourishing in his home base of Lagos. Throughout his two inventive EPs, Get Layd and What Have We Done, his lithe voice unravels tales that range from introspective to romantic to gratifyingly explicit, expertly laid over lush and soulful instrumentals. Layered with vivid scenarios and heartfelt confessions, Omah Lay’s rich music not only depicts a young man daring to reveal his grittiest vices and innermost feelings, but also doubles as a fascinating window into Afro-fusion’s bright and expansive future.
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