LA-based singer-songwriter Liyah Bey uses her voice to make the world a better place, and with latest release, ‘Abused’, she moves one further step towards achieving that goal.
Liyah Bey’s upbringing took her all over the world, while her early fascination with musical icons like Prince, Adele, Aretha Franklin, Amy Winehouse, Sia & Lauryn Hill saw her take her powerhouse voice at first to New York City. Here she recorded with Kool and the Gang, and then stepped in for Lauryn Hill in the Fugees. Now, in LA, she’s a solo artist, where her poetic, emotionally rich storytelling has found a home in that city’s rich music scene.
With an extensive publishing catalogue that has allowed her to hone her sound, a vibrant blend of classic R&B, pop, and blue-eyed soul, Liyah Bey is now setting out on what might be her most ambitious project yet, led by her belief that global and societal change must start first with awareness. Hoping to be the spark that sets the world on fire, her aim is for people to come together in meaningful dialogue, where they embrace the unvarnished truths that shape the human experience.
Liyah Bey’s latest single, ‘Abused’, explore the sadly too familiar story of a battered, broken woman, pleading for someone to pick up the pieces. It’s an epic ballad with a heart-breaking narrative, and the narrator battle their torment in isolation, burying her agony, as she keeps “a dozen secrets locked behind her ribs”. She realises that healing comes with communication, and she takes a step forward, sharing her story. Speaking about the single, Liyah Bey says, “I’ve written hundreds of songs over the years,” says Bey, “but none have ever felt as necessary as this one. ‘Abused’ is for anyone who has carried something silently for far too long”.
Liyah’s voice is angelic and soothing, while maintaining some of the angst and pain felt by the narrator, accompanied by a light pop instrumental. With such an important subject, Liyah wants listeners to absorb the words and the meaning behind them, so rather than make a cinematic music video for ‘Abused’, she’s gone with a simple lyric video, allowing each scathing sentiment to truly sink in, providing listeners a space to step into the narrator’s shoes and imagine the misery of a life lived in the shadows.
Watch the stirring lyric video for ‘Abused’ below, and find out more about Liyah Bey and her music online on her official website, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Spotify.
