Nigerian singer and songwriter Liya has opened up about her decision to leave Davido Music Worldwide, stating that she needed more growth for herself both personally and professionally.
Liya, who made history as the first female artist signed to the label in October 2020, had earlier confirmed her exit in 2023 during an Instagram question-and-answer session. Responding to a fan at the time, she wrote: “Nopee, but #30bg for lifee.”
Speaking recently on Wahala with Josy Anne, the singer explained that her departure was a difficult but necessary decision.
“Why did I leave? I just wanted more for myself, as a person and as an artist. I wanted more for myself. It was sad, it was depressing, I was tired, I was sick, but it was a decision that I had to make for myself. Yeah, because everyone thought I had it all figured out,” she said.
She also addressed the criticism she faced during that period, revealing that many people misunderstood her situation and labeled her unfairly.
“They called me names. People saying, Oh, she’s just lazy. She doesn’t know what she’s doing. They’re just pouring money on her, and she’s not doing anything for over a year or two years. They’d just be like, oh, yeah, you just don’t know what you’re doing. It was my fault,” she said.
According to Liya, the pressure took a toll on her mental state, affecting even her social media activity. She disclosed that she stopped managing her Instagram account personally for about two to three years.
“And all that period, I just did not know how to post by myself. For the past two or three years. I never posted myself on Instagram. Yeah. I always have my manager post for me. I mean, we’ll put the pictures and stuff together, slides and everything. But then I just send everything to him. Oh, this is the first slide, second slide,” she explained.
Despite the challenges, the singer expressed gratitude to her manager for his patience and understanding during the difficult phase.
“He was tired, but I’m so glad he understood. He was very patient with me. He never pushed me or forced me to post myself,” she added.
Liya’s revelations have sparked conversations among fans about the pressures faced by artists in the music industry and the importance of prioritizing personal well-being.
