OMAH LAY – FULL DETAILED BIOGRAPHY

Birth Name: Stanley Omah Didia
Stage Name: Omah Lay
Date of Birth: May 19, 1997
Place of Birth: Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
Nationality: Nigerian
Genres: Afro-Fusion, Afrobeat, R&B, Soul
Occupation: Singer, Songwriter, Record Producer
Years Active: 2011 – Present
Record Labels: KeyQaad, Sire Records & Warner Music Group

Early Life and Family Background

Stanley Omah Didia, widely known by his stage name Omah Lay, was born on May 19, 1997, in Port Harcourt, the capital city of Rivers State, Nigeria. He hails from the Ikwerre tribe and grew up in a close-knit Christian family. Music was a significant part of his childhood, not because his family pushed him toward entertainment, but because the art seemed to run naturally in their bloodline.

His grandfather, who was known as Celestine Ukwu, was a legendary Highlife musician in the Eastern region of Nigeria during the 1970s. He played the guitar and performed with several notable Highlife bands. Although Omah Lay was born after his grandfather passed away, he grew up hearing stories, records, and praises about him. This family musical heritage subconsciously shaped his identity, fueling curiosity and emotional attachment to music early in his life.

Omah Lay grew up in an environment that mirrored the typical lifestyle of many Port Harcourt youths—rich cultural diversity, urban influence, deep spirituality, and a society filled with both struggles and inspiration. His parents were hardworking, humble, and protective, raising him with discipline, Christian values, and cultural pride. He also had siblings, and together they lived a simple but fulfilling life.

Education and Growing Influence of Music

Omah Lay attended both primary and secondary school in Port Harcourt. As a child, he was quiet, introspective, thoughtful, and deeply observant. These qualities later became defining elements in his songwriting style—emotional, raw, personal, soulful, and poetic.

Although he did not initially plan for a music career, he was drawn to sound creation and the emotional power of melodies. While other students focused on sports and social life, he found entertainment in writing short poems, freestyling tunes, freestyle rapping, and watching studio sessions of local artists.

During his teenage years, he began spending time with friends who were already experimenting with music production. He learned the basics of beat-making, sound engineering, and music arrangement, often teaching himself using DAW (Digital Audio Workstations) like FL Studio.

After finishing secondary school, Omah Lay gained admission to the University of Port Harcourt, but his passion for music grew stronger, gradually overshadowing academic pursuit. He later chose to step away from formal education to focus on his musical journey—a decision that demanded courage, risk, and self-belief.

Early Career – Beginning as a Music Producer

Before gaining fame as a singer, Omah Lay started professionally as a music producer around 2013. At this point, he was known among Port Harcourt underground music circles as a talented beat-maker and sound arranger. He produced songs for local artists under the alias “Lil King”, but he remained uncredited and unseen, a common struggle for many producers in Nigeria’s music ecosystem.

He produced records for upcoming street artists, helped refine vocal arrangements, and mastered songs in makeshift studios. Yet, he felt his emotional creativity was not fully represented because many artists could not express his sound the way he imagined it.

This realization pushed him back to being a full-time singer.

Transition into Singing and Songwriting

By 2019, Omah Lay decided to write and record his own songs. His voice had a distinctive tone—soft, melancholic, emotional, and soulful. He blended Afrobeats, Highlife rhythms, R&B melodies, and contemporary Afro-fusion to create a sound that felt new, refreshing, addictive, and intimate.

He signed with KeyQaad Entertainment, a Lagos-based independent label that believed strongly in his potential. This was a turning point in his life, giving him a platform, structure, resources, professional production support, and brand-building opportunities.

Breakthrough – “You” and “Bad Influence”

In January 2020, Omah Lay released “You”, his official debut single. The song immediately caught attention for its originality, heartfelt lyrics, and atmospheric production. It introduced him as a deep emotional storyteller.

But the world-changing moment came with the release of “Bad Influence”, which quickly became one of the most streamed Nigerian songs of 2020. The track resonated strongly among listeners due to its portrayal of heartbreak, loneliness, love confusion, and internal struggle.

“Bad Influence” went viral organically through:

TikTok Sounds
Audiomack playlists
Social media fan circulation
Romantic mood playlists

This viral wave cemented his rise.

The “Get Layd” EP (2020)

In May 2020, Omah Lay released his debut project, the “Get Layd” EP, featuring 5 tracks:

Damn
Lo Lo
You
Bad Influence
Ye Ye Ye

The project topped Apple Music Nigeria charts and became the number one streamed EP in Nigeria for several months.

Its success highlighted certain qualities in Omah Lay:

Smooth emotional storytelling
Vulnerable and relatable lyrics
Unique Afro-fusion sound
Dark and romantic tone
Songwriting honesty

Rising Stardom and International Recognition

2020 was a year of global pandemic and lockdowns, but instead of slowing him down, it amplified his digital reach. His music became a healing escape for many listeners dealing with loneliness and emotional breakdowns.

He gained recognition across:

West Africa
East Africa
The Caribbean
Europe
North America

International record labels, media houses, and streaming platforms began profiling him as the new face of Afro-fusion.

He ended the year with multiple award nominations and wins, including Next Rated nominations and a BET Amplified Artist recognition.

Collaboration with Justin Bieber – “Attention” (2022)

One of Omah Lay’s biggest career-defining collaborations came in March 2022, when he teamed up with Canadian superstar Justin Bieber to release the single “Attention”. The track fused Pop and Afro-fusion rhythms and highlighted Omah Lay’s global crossover appeal.

The collaboration: