Early Life
Abdulsalam Suliyat Modasola, better known as Liya, was born in 1999 in Lagos, Nigeria, around the Ketu area. She grew up in Ketu and Alapere before moving with her parents to Ikorodu in 2011, where she attended an Arabic school during her secondary education.
In 2014, she gained admission to the University of Ilorin, where she studied Yoruba Language and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Linguistics.
Raised in a musically rich environment, Liya grew up surrounded by Christian influences, including regular visits to a Cherubim and Seraphim church. These early experiences, combined with her exposure to music classes at the Arabic school, helped shape her unique musical style.
Career
Liya kicked off her music career in 2020 when Davido publicly introduced her via Twitter, just hours after she met him at a club through Peruzzi. Captivated by her talent, Davido immediately signed her as the first female artist under his label, Davido Music Worldwide (DMW), in October 2020.
She released her debut single, “Melo,” shortly after signing. The track quickly caught attention, and its accompanying music video—featuring Davido and directed by Dammy Twitch—premiered in December 2020, further boosting her visibility.
In August 2021, Liya officially dropped her debut EP, Alari. The project earned critical acclaim, with music critic Motolani Alake praising “Melo” for transforming Angélique Kidjo’s “Agolo” into a graceful, regal Afropop hit. Her standout vocal delivery on the project earned her a nomination for Best Vocal Performance (Female) at the 2022 Headies Awards for the song “Alari.”
Liya continued building her catalog in 2021 with the release of her single “Adua”, again teaming up with Dammy Twitch for the video. In 2022, she delivered a remix of “Adua” featuring Simi, further establishing herself as a powerful voice in Nigerian music.
Blending Afrobeats with modern rhythms, Liya crafts a sound that reflects her cultural roots and musical evolution. Her songs pair catchy hooks with introspective, emotional lyrics, often exploring love, spirituality, and self-growth.
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