It Was Depressing & Exhausting’ – Liya Opens Up On Leaving Davido’s Label

According to industry insiders, singer and songwriter Abdulsalam Suliyat Modasola, popularly known as Liya, has revealed the reasons behind her departure from Davido Music Worldwide (DMW). Liya, who became the first female artist to sign with DMW in October 2020, explained that her exit was motivated by a desire for personal and artistic growth.

The singer, who announced her departure on Instagram in 2023 during a fan Q&A session, emphasized that leaving the label was a difficult decision. “I just wanted more for myself, as a person and as an artist. It was sad, it was depressing, I was tired, I was sick, but it was a decision that I had to make for myself,” she said on a recent episode of Wahala with Josy Anne.

Liya also addressed public criticism she faced during her time at DMW. She noted that many people wrongly judged her, accusing her of being lazy and failing to contribute meaningfully to the label. “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.’ It was my fault,” she admitted.

The singer further revealed that her struggles extended to managing her social media, explaining that for two to three years, she did not handle her Instagram posts personally, instead relying on her manager to curate and post content on her behalf. She credited her manager for his patience and understanding during this challenging period. “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,” Liya said.