For Oshe Naija, our celebration of the sounds of Nigeria, we asked some of the country’s most pioneering acts to reflect on how their home cities and states helped shape their own music— and the Nigerian soundscape. “Rivers State has different tribes, but we share some similarities in our native attires and highlife music,” Port Harcourt-born Afro-fusion star Omah Lay tells Apple Music. “That makes us unique. Gyration and highlife music being very popular for a time in Rivers State made percussions and pots something we loved. I don’t know if it was unique to Rivers, but it was our thing, as was singing in pidgin-English.” “Music out of Rivers State has always been different, compared to other parts of Nigeria,” he continues. “It’s hard to find artists that sound alike. Lately we’re seeing that diversity impact the genre and more artistes from Port Harcourt coming up. It’s great to see. Everything I express in my music comes from my life experiences and I spent most of my life in Port Harcourt, so the city’s impact on my music comes from my experiences there and the culture around me growing up.” Omah Lay’s playlist features sounds from the artists he’s found to be most relatable, including Duncan Mighty, Ninho, Terry Apala, Prettyboy D-O, and Lasmid, alongside global stars like Billie Eilish, Post Malone, Harry Styles, Dave and more. “These tracks all have something that resonates with me. Either the innovation in the sound or how the artists were able to speak their mind and make [people] understand how they feel. That’s what music is really about.” Hear something you can relate to? Add it to your library.