Timaya has finally addressed the rumours flying around about his supposed retirement from music. In a post shared via his X (formerly Twitter) account, the “Dem Mama” crooner made it clear that he hasn’t retired, he was simply taking time off.
In his words, “No be say the boy retire, the boy just been dey sleep.”
That one sentence sparked relief and excitement among fans who had feared the veteran singer might be hanging up his mic for good.
Timaya, whose real name is Inetimi Alfred Timaya Odon, has had a long and successful run in the music industry. Since his breakout in 2005 with the iconic single “Dem Mama,” which captured the pain of the Odi massacre in his home state Bayelsa, he has consistently pushed boundaries with his sound. Over the past two decades, he has released eight albums and one EP, collaborated with international stars like Sean Paul and Morgan Heritage, and remained a voice that blends activism, street energy, and dancehall vibes.
But even stars need rest. In a recent interview, Timaya admitted he missed the older days of music where there was more soul and less pressure to chase trends. He lamented that today’s songs, although popular, often feel “compromised” and shallow. It’s this desire for authenticity and his own personal need to recharge that likely informed his decision to step away for a while. During the COVID-19 lockdown, he also opened up about struggling with drug use, a battle he eventually overcame. All these factors paint the picture of an artist who has been through it, come out strong, and chosen to pause, not quit.
Despite the break, his legacy remains rock solid. With talk of new projects brewing and the Gladiator album still making waves, it’s only a matter of time before Timaya reminds everyone why he’s one of the realest in the game. He may have been sleeping, but now, the Egberi Papa 1 of Bayelsa is wide awake and the streets are ready.
By Ezinne Okorie.
