Omah Lay is stepping into a new chapter, and he is bringing a fresh voice along for the ride.
In a recent interview via Nandoleaks, the Port Harcourt-born singer opened up about signing Elmah, a fast-rising Nigerian Afrofusion artist, to his Boy Alone imprint, making her the first act he has ever formally taken under his wing. The move is a meaningful shift for one of Nigeria’s most introspective voices, from solo artist to label head with a clear eye for talent.
Speaking on the signing, Omah Lay was candid about his belief in her. He described Elmah as someone he had been building a relationship with for some time, calling the connection a family one, and made clear the signing was less a business calculation than a genuine recognition of something rare.
Elmah first began drawing attention in 2022 through song covers and original compositions shared on social media, carving out a dedicated fanbase with her contemporary Afro-R&B sound. Her debut single “New Boy in Town,” released in October 2023, caught fire on TikTok and put her name firmly in the conversation among emerging Nigerian acts, earning early co-signs from artists like Joeboy, Teni, and Boy Spyce. She currently sits at over 56,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, modest numbers that are likely to shift dramatically given the platform she now has.
The timing is notable. Omah Lay released his sophomore album Clarity of Mind in 2025, and Elmah is set to appear as the sole featured artist on it, a level of trust that speaks louder than any press release. The pair have also collaborated on “Coping Mechanism,” a track that leans into Omah Lay’s signature Afro-Depression sound and explores themes of mental health and emotional resilience.
Boy Alone, which began as the title of Omah Lay’s critically acclaimed 2022 debut album, has since evolved into his music company, of which he is CEO. Elmah is the first artist to officially come through that structure, and if the early chemistry between them is anything to go by, she likely won’t be the last.