Afrobeats singer Omah Lay Thought Davido Disliked Him

By Sofiat Adenekan-Abdul

Afrobeats singer Omah Lay has opened up about a past misunderstanding with fellow Nigerian superstar Davido, revealing that he once believed the award-winning artist disliked him an assumption that ultimately paved the way for their Grammy-nominated collaboration, With You.

The singer made the disclosure during a GRAMMY red carpet interview, shedding light on how miscommunication in the music industry can shape perceptions among artists.

A Misread Signal in the Industry

Omah Lay said he had long assumed there was tension between him and the DMW boss until he came across a video clip that changed his perspective.

“I was in the house, really, and I was going through it when I saw it, and I lost my mind. It was the fact that I didn’t know Davido was like that. I thought we had a beef. I thought he didn’t like me,” he said.

The moment, he explained, challenged his earlier belief and revealed how easily assumptions can grow in the absence of direct communication.
From Assumption to Artistic Chemistry
According to the singer, once they connected personally, the supposed tension vanished.

“It was funny, and we connected so well after that, magic happened,” he added.

That connection resulted in With You, released in 2025 — a career-defining record that earned Omah Lay his first Grammy nomination, shared with Davido.

Nigeria’s Strong Showing at the Grammys

Speaking ahead of the awards, Omah Lay acknowledged the strength of Nigerian artists in the category.

“Me and Davido, of course. But Burna is there, Ayra is there, Wizkid is there. Any of us I mean, we are repping Nigeria.”

Despite Nigeria’s dominance in the nominations, the Best African Music Performance award went to South African artist Tyla for Push 2 Start. The track edged out other nominees, including With You, Love by Burna Boy, and Gimme Dat by Ayra Starr and Wizkid.

Beyond the Win: A Bigger Picture

Although Omah Lay did not clinch the award, the nomination reinforces his rising global profile and highlights a broader industry shift — increasing collaboration, reduced rivalry narratives, and Africa’s expanding influence on the world music stage.

His story underscores a key industry reality: misunderstandings can limit opportunities, but dialogue can unlock global impact.