Starting a freshman year with some tantalizing musical creations, Nigerian music artist Omaye has come up with a brand new EP that sets a benchmark in the music scene. The EP is ready to drop in January 2026, and it is titled ‘17EEN’. It is set to be released under the label of Lucky Lisiano Records, and it is currently creating a huge buzz among global music lovers. We thank the artist for sharing a few words with us on Amapiano and Afrofusion music.
DMR: ‘17EEN’ will be released soon. How are you feeling about this 2026 kick-starter?
Omaye: This is the first year I feel I’m making giant leaps forward, so its special. I have been doing music for a few years, streaming on Audiomack hustling my music on social media but its turning professional, I have distribution and contracts now. 2026 is going to be crazy I can feel it, by Gods grace!! I feel great about this, am grateful to God for bringing me this far and most importantly am READY!!
DMR: Please tell us a little about ‘17EEN’ and the songs within.
Omaye: 17EEN is all about me how long I’ve been on this road and things that happened to me…. The struggles, Love, hatred, Betrayals, Denials and the Strong Believe I have in me. I’m almost telling a story.
“Tell Them”, was the first single I recorded back in June of 2025. It was written in the mindset of like… watch me grow or from then till now type of feel.
The whole album I would say has a inspirational message, like your time is coming just hold on and believe. It important to spread that message from where I am from.
“JoJo” is more of a club banger something you can really dance and party to. Its one of my best tracks after “Tell Them” on the EP
The track “Chosen” expresses the way I feel about music. It chose me, I didn’t choose the gift I was born with it. Emir and I had a lot of fun recording that song.
The rest I’ll let the people decide on how they feel about them.
DMR: Does “Tell Them” speak about your life? Is music your self-expression?
Omaye: TELL THEM tells you not just ABOUT MY LIFE but also ABOUT OUR LIFE, my people and anyone it relates to really. It tells us to believe in whatever we’re doing and be ready to go through that journey and face whatever comes with it.
I absolutely express myself through Music too and it’s what I love to do. As an music artist music will always be a form of self-expression. I am 17, although coming from Nigeria, we have lived a few lives already (I say that jokingly) but have seen much in life to express.
DMR: You made prolific progress within a short duration. How was it possible?
Omaye: I believe in what I want and what I’m doing…. I stay disciplined and focused. With every post I know one day it will get me closer to my goals. I don’t like saying dreams, it gimmicky plus dreams go away after you “wake up or snap out of it” so I always try to say goals. Goals are attainable. When you know what you are capable of its then to search for the right opportunity. I heard the saying “Good luck is when preparation meets opportunity” so ever since I have stayed ready.
DMR: Take us through your creative process for every musical creation.
Omaye: I use to be this jovial and playful fella in school, like to entertain the class (singing, dancing) so when I graduated I still had that thing in me I fell in love with entertainment I loved music so much I could sing REMA-WOMAN complete, straight lyrics fluently at an early age. So I started writing my own songs instead of fluently singing other Artists songs. When I finally got a phone i used Voloco recording app to record my first song “GIVE UP” it was the only access I had to actually record songs later started using Bandlab that started going to the studio (so the thing is that i really was serious about this and I started it all by my self started writing the rhymes myself started recording alone at home) so if you want something and really go for it, give it all you’ve got and be consistent till you get it.
DMR: How was your experience of working with Emir Makhanaki and DJ Khalifa?
Omaye: Hands down, meeting and working with them is the best thing that ever happened to me on my music journey. I get to meet many more people through them, getting more exposure and actually started something new from there… they are a big part of me and what I am doing, the relationship is really strong we are like family now.
DMR: Tell us your experience at the Capital DJ Hype Fest.
Omaye: It was a big one for me at the moment, was honored to perform there….. cuz I was all about the exposure at that time I really appreciate that (shoutout to Capital DJ HypeFest). The crowd was amazing. It the type of experience I’ll always remember that feeling it gave me. When you accomplish something you always remember what the next level did for you.
DMR: What are your views on the modern music industry?
Omaye: I’ll say more creative freedom, if you see it from a world view. We have Kpop and metal music coming from Korea. Then you have emerging bands like The Paradox out of the US making history right now because well the difference is obvious, then my people representing Afrobeats and Afro-fusion taking over the airwaves in the past few years really paving the way for music artist like me to come out and be seen and heard.
DMR: Who would you like to collaborate with in the future?
Omaye: I’d say Kodak Black. I like his confidence and the way he do his things, like he don’t give a F@$#% just do his things. No matter how bad it might look.
DMR: Would you like to experiment with other genres than Amapiano and Afro?
Omaye: I already am with hiphop beats, I want to try Jamaican Dancehall style too. Latin Pop/Reggaeton music is also close to what we do here in Africa. I always want my sound to stand out. I am still in the creative process of finding that ME in my sound but originality matters a lot so switching up the sounds eventually and being different is a must.
DMR: Will you continue to make more releases under Lucky Lisiano Records?
Omaye: We have a lot of time that we are going to be together. We are working in phases as of right now. Unlocking new levels together and seeing how far we can push this, that is both of our goals as of right now.
DMR: What would you like to tell your fans?
Omaye: Thanks for the love and support. Even now y’all been watching my growth, cheering me on, having my back. It means the world to me. I got the energy and I’m coming. I promise to keep giving them good and honest songs you can dance or just vibe to. This is just the beginning and you are absolutely part of this journey.
Follow OmaYe: Apple Music // YouTube // AudioMack // Instagram //TikTok
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