‘Pombe’ hitmaker Iyanni on his battle with depression

Singer Iyanii has shared a personal chapter of his life, revealing how he battled depression in 2023 and turned to music as a form of therapy.

In an interview with Nairobi Newsthe popular artist recounted his journey through this challenging time and explained how it led to his song Life, featuringMejja.

“There was a time when I was so depressed. Things were not moving in the right way, “he shared.

Iyanii says he found himself seeking solace in music during these dark days, a decision that led him to penlife, a track that became a hit and resonated with many of his fans.

The song’s production became a collaborative effort when Iyanii reached out to fellow artist Meja, with whom he says he had been spending a lot of time.

“I called Meja, and told him I had been depressed and going through some challenges,” Iyanii explained.

It was a moment of shared vulnerability, as Meja, too, was experiencing his difficulties.

“I was like, why not work on this song with you together?” Iyanii said, recalling how they both agreed on the importance of sending a message of hope through their music.

“At the end of the day, despite all the things we experience in life, things will get better,” Iyanii added.

When asked about the causes behind his depression, Iyanii noted that it was rooted in the pressures and uncertainties of life.

“Sometimes you feel like things are overwhelming, you feel like you are all alone, and you don’t have so many people to run to,” he said.

“Luckily, I have people that I work with and people I grew up with, people that have seen me for the past 10, 15, 20 years.”

Iyanii says he found a way to channel his feelings and connect with his audience through his music.

He shared that his goal is to inspire others, whether they hear his songs in clubs, weddings, or at home.

“I love singing happy songs… because I don’t know what a person is going through in life. So I want people to hear my songs and feel inspired in some way,” he explained.