I battled depression while signed to Davido’s record label — Liya

Afrobeats singer Liya, the first female artiste to be signed to Davido Music Worldwide (DMW), has revealed that she left the label after struggling with depression and a lack of career support.

Speaking on The Wahala Podcast, Liya explained that although joining DMW was initially a major milestone in her career, the experience eventually became emotionally draining as she felt her growth was stalling.

Liya, known for tracks like Lakiriboto and Melo, said her exit was motivated by a desire for both personal and artistic advancement.

“I left years ago. I left because I wanted more for myself, both as a person and as an artist,” she said.

She admitted that the period was extremely tough, noting that her mental health suffered as she confronted pressure, criticism, and unmet expectations.

“It was sad, it was depressing. I was tired, I was sick, but it was a decision I had to make for myself,” she said.

“People thought I had it all figured out. They called me lazy, said I didn’t know what I was doing, and claimed money was being spent on me with no results.”

The singer added that constant social media pressure worsened her struggles, making her reluctant to post and affecting her visibility.

“For over a year or two, people kept saying I didn’t know what I was doing.

“I even started blaming myself. I didn’t know how to post anymore because there was so much pressure,” she said.

“Just two weeks ago, when I posted, someone even asked if my account was hacked. I told him it was me.”

Liya said stepping away from DMW was a difficult but necessary decision, one she believes has allowed her to reclaim control of her career and well-being.