Following on from our review of Liyah Bey’s new single, ‘Abused‘, we speak to the artist herself about her music, her career, and what lies ahead.
After such a wide-ranging journey through different cities, scenes, and stages, where do you feel most grounded as an artist right now?
Right now, I feel most grounded in honesty. I’ve lived in different places, performed in very different rooms, and experienced both visibility and invisibility as an artist. What’s steady for me now is knowing who I am when no one’s watching. I’m not chasing a sound or a scene – I’m listening inward and letting the music come from a place that feels true rather than performative.
You grew up inspired by voices like Prince, Lauryn Hill, and Aretha Franklin; what did those artists teach you early on about honesty and emotional weight in music?
They taught me that truth is the performance. Prince showed me fearlessness and individuality. Lauryn Hill taught me that vulnerability can be revolutionary. Aretha showed me that emotion doesn’t need explanation – it just needs to be felt. None of them ever sounded like they were trying to please anyone. They sounded like they were telling the truth, even when it was uncomfortable.
You’ve worked alongside some legendary musicians over the years – how did those experiences help shape the confidence it took to fully step into your solo work?
Working with artists who had already walked their path showed me that confidence isn’t loud – it’s quiet and grounded. They trusted their instincts. Being around that level of artistry made me realize I didn’t need permission to take up space. It helped me understand that my voice mattered simply because it was mine.
‘Abused’ is incredibly direct and heavy; what made this feel like the moment when you had to finally write and release this song?
There comes a point where silence feels heavier than the truth. This song had been living inside me for a long time, and I reached a moment where not releasing it felt dishonest. I wasn’t writing it to shock or provoke – I wrote it because it needed to exist. It felt like the right moment to stop protecting everyone else and start telling the truth.
Was it difficult to sit with that emotional space while writing and recording the track?
Yes – very much so. There were moments when it was emotionally exhausting. But I also found a strange sense of clarity in it. Sitting with that space wasn’t about reliving pain; it was about acknowledging it and giving it language. That process was difficult, but it was also freeing.
Your vocal performance moves between softness and power; how did you think about using your voice to reflect both vulnerability and strength in this story?
I wanted the vocals to mirror real emotional movement. Vulnerability doesn’t sound one way – sometimes it whispers, sometimes it breaks, and sometimes it rises. Strength isn’t always loud. I let my voice respond naturally to the story rather than forcing a particular tone, trusting that honesty would carry the emotion.
You’ve spoken about music as a tool for awareness and change – what conversations do you hope this song might start for listeners?
I hope it opens space for people to speak – or even just to feel less alone. Abuse often lives in silence, shame, and isolation. If this song encourages someone to acknowledge their experience, seek support, or simply realize they’re not invisible, then it’s doing what it was meant to do.
The lyric video keeps the focus squarely on the words; why was it important to let the story speak without distraction?
The words are the heart of the song. I didn’t want visuals to soften or aestheticize something that needed to be heard plainly. Sometimes the most respectful thing you can do is step back and let the message stand on its own.
For anyone hearing ‘Abused’ who may be carrying something alone, what do you hope they feel – and is there anything else you’d like to share before we wrap up?
I hope they feel seen. I hope they feel believed. And I hope they know that what they experienced does not define their worth. Healing doesn’t follow a straight line, and there’s no timeline for finding your voice -but you deserve safety, love, and peace. You’re not alone, even when it feels that way.
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.
