Fresh off his first GRAMMY Awards appearance as a nominee alongside Davido for Best African Music Performance (“With You”), global Afro-Fusion sensation Omah Lay continues his artistic evolution with the release of his immersive new single and music video, “DON’T LOVE ME.” The dark, seductive, and emotionally layered record offers a powerful glimpse into the mindset shaping his forthcoming sophomore album, Clarity of Mind, arriving soon via Sire Records.
On “DON’T LOVE ME,” Omah leans into vulnerability and emotional detachment with striking honesty. Floating over elastic basslines, shadowy synths, and hypnotic percussion, he explores the tension between desire and self-protection, delivering one of his most revealing refrains to date: “Don’t love me. Just make love.” It’s a line that captures the song’s core — a plea for intimacy without expectation, connection without emotional weight.
The accompanying music video brings this emotional complexity to life through a moody, cinematic lens. Set in a dreamlike world of light, shadows, and sensual movement, the visual follows Omah through intimate, surreal spaces where romance feels fleeting and unstable. Minimalist yet evocative, the film balances soft-focus imagery with sharp styling and symbolic choreography, reflecting the push-and-pull between closeness and distance. With its sleek production and atmospheric tone, the video feels like a moving portrait of desire, isolation, and emotional boundaries.
“DON’T LOVE ME” builds on the momentum of Omah’s recent breakout single “Waist,” which continues to resonate across playlists, radio, and digital platforms in Africa, the UK, and Europe. The record’s balance of spiritual reflection and romantic temptation laid the foundation for the thematic direction of Clarity of Mind, while its acclaimed Paris-shot visual highlighted Omah’s growing interest in storytelling through imagery and mood.
Before this recent creative run, Omah’s last solo release was 2024’s “Moving,” a fan favorite praised by The New York Times and later remixed by Haitian DJ Francis Mercier. He continues to expand his sonic universe through collaborations with Tems, Myke Towers, SPINALL, Tyla, and Kehlani. His Boy Alone (Deluxe) project — featuring Ozuna on the remix of viral hit “soso” — has surpassed 600 million global streams, cementing his place as one of Africa’s most influential new-generation voices.
