Apple Music has earlier today announced ‘Africa Rising’, a new bi-monthly artist program and companion playlist driven towards recognizing, showcasing, and shooting African talent unto stardom. This is the latest of Apple Music’s initiatives of promoting African finest.
Omah Lay, who is a Nigerian Afro-fusion singer and songwriter will be paraded as the debut artist for the new program.
“I have always used Apple Music, seeing my favorite artists on playlist covers and features but here I am looking pretty as Apple Music’s first Africa Rising artist. I am overwhelmed, dreams really do come true,” says Omah Lay.
In every two months, Africa Rising will feature the artist selected by Apple Music’s editorial team on the Africa continent, employ the electrifying renowned platform to amplify them to music fans across and beyond Africa.
“I’m so excited that my fellow Nigerian Omah Lay is Apple Music’s first Africa Rising artist,” said Cuppy, host of Apple Music’s Africa Now Radio. “This new program and its playlist will elevate the next generation of African superstars and bring them to the world.”
Omah’s musical journey started during his teenage years as a member of the rap group, Lil King. A few years later he left music performing for producing, and within a short time became the sought-after for a hit single in Portharcourt, Nigeria. But, he came back to singing after the realization that he can complement his new skills with his talent.
In 2019 he released two singles ‘Do Not Disturb’ and ‘Hello Brother,’ both of which ended up on heavy rotation on Port Harcourt’s commercial stations, and in turn secured him a growing fanbase with each new milestone.
With a musical exuberance that spans from Afrobeats, R&B and Pop, Omah’s debut EP ‘Get Layd’, which he released under indie record label KeyQaad, has been the #1 album on Apple Music Nigeria since its release in May 2020, with all 5 songs from the EP featuring on the Nigerian Top 10 singles chart.
About the success of his first project as a solo artist, Omah Lay says in an interview with Nadeska Alexis on Apple Music: “I wasn’t expecting all of this. I didn’t expect it to happen this fast and so soon, you know what I mean? But I’m grateful. I just made music, I put it out, and everybody’s loving it.”
Listen to Omah Lay’s latest Apple Music interview with Nadeska Alexis at HERE.
Africa Rising on Apple Music is now available in 33 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, the platform recently launched its new show, Africa Now Radio with Cuppy, and a series of ‘At Home With’ playlists exclusively curated by top African artists like Fireboy DML, Simi, Master KG, Sun El-Musician, and more.
Apple Music also selected Nigerian Afropop star, Rema as its latest Up Next artist, following the addition of Burna Boy to the schedule last year, and Mr Eazi back in 2017.
