Why I Took a Break From Music – Iyanya

Iyanya Onoyom Mbuk, known by his stage name Iyanya, a Nigerian Afropop singer has revealed that he halted his music career to avert toxicity and maintain sanity.

Mbuk made this revelation during an interview with BBN’s Ebuka Obi-Uchendu.

“With hits come pressure; the ups and the downs. Fans don’t see that. But you as an artiste have to tell yourself the truth, take some time off, and do what’s right.

It was very intentional for me to leave and come back better.For me, I wasn’t ready for all of that. I knew I was going to be famous, but I didn’t realise it was going to be that huge. The effects on me weren’t so good at some point. Yeah, of course. It was a toxic time for me.

If you’re not careful, it could break you. It was crazy, mentally and otherwise. When you become a version of yourself that you don’t like, you have to take some time away. It was for about three to four years. I had to shut down. I lost my mind. Mentally, I was gone. If I didn’t, I won’t be here today. Ubi Franklin and I made up a long time ago, but we didn’t say so on social media. The issues that made us fall apart don’t exist anymore.

I was young and everything happened so fast. Now I know you have to listen to people, especially those giving you advise for growth. Yeah, I’m in a different headspace. And I’m more mature,” he said.

The singer came into the limelight after winning the first season of Project Fame West Africa and thereafter released his debut album ‘My Story’ in 2011.

Mbuk is also the Senior Special Assistant on Tourism and Entertainment to Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State.