Lyta
Nigerian singer
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Babatunde Rahimⓘ, known professionally as Lyta, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter . He signed a record deal with YBNL Nation in 2018 but left the label in May 2019 after having a disagreement with the label owner Olamide.[2] He released the 5-track debut EP Id in 2019.[3]
Early life and career
A native of Kwara State, Lyta grew up in Ajegunle and was a member of Ile Kewu, a music group at his local mosque.[2][4] His record deal with YBNL Nation was made public on 3 February 2018.[5] In 2019, Lyta confirmed that he did not have any written contracts with YBNL Nation.[6] Lyta's breakthrough single with YBNL Nation, "Time", features vocals by Olamide and was released on 14 February 2018.[7][8]
In 2019, Lyta left YBNL Nation due to contractual and personal issues.[9] After exiting YBNL, he signed with Doro Musik Gang and released the Killertunes produced track "Monalisa" on 12 July 2019.[10] The visuals for "Monalisa", which was directed by Director K, amassed over 500,000 views within a month after its release.[11][12]
A few weeks after the release of "Monalisa", Davido reached out to Lyta about recording an official remix with him.[13] Following their agreement, Davido and Lyta flew to Dakar for the remix and video shoot.[14][15] The remix of "Monalisa" was released on 30 August 2019.[16] Elias Light of Rolling Stone magazine described the song as a "handsome contradiction, with fierce expressions of yearning".[17] The accompanying music video for the remix was directed by Director K.[15] Lyta gained exposure following his collaboration with Davido on the remix.[18]
Lyta released the Afrobeat track "Worry" on 6 December 2019; it was produced by Killer Tunes.[19] The visuals for "Worry" was shot and directed by Simplicity Visual Studios in London.[20]
YBNL exit
Reports about Lyta's exit from YBNL surfaced after Olamide unfollowed him on Instagram.[21] In May 2019, Lyta confirmed his exit from YNBL Nation on Naijaloaded TV. He said although he was paid between 50,000 and 80,000 for shows, he never had a written contract with the label.[22] Olamide issued a statement to Guardian Life, saying YBNL has a promotion calendar that Lyta refused to follow.[23]
New record label
In 2020, Lyta was signed to Marlian Records owned by Naira Marley.[24] He also released his first single under the label titled "Hold me Down(Omo Gidi)".[25] The video to "Hold Me Down", which was inspired by Kpop boy bands GOT7 and BTS, was directed by TG Omori.[26] The video is an exact replica of GOT7's "Just Right" music video. However, Lyta did not ask for permission and K-pop fans were furious about the exact copy of the video.[27] Lyta said, "I am not signed with Marlian records. Naira Marley is just showing me love."[28]
Discography
Studio albums
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| **Rafat** |
|
| **LEAK** |
|
| **Al-Awwal** |
|
EPs
- Id (2019)
- **Stranger** (2023)[32]
Singles
- As lead artist
| Year | Title | Album | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | "Time" (featuring Olamide) | Non-album single | [8] |
| "Self Made" | [33] | ||
| "Do You" | [34] | ||
| 2019 | "Pure Water" | [35] | |
| "Monalisa" | [36] | ||
| "Monalisa Remix" (featuring Davido) | [37] | ||
| "Worry" | [19] | ||
| 2020 | "Mama" | [38] | |
| "Hold Me Down (Omo Gidi)" | |||
| "Everybody" | [39] | ||
| "Ramadan" | |||
| 2021 | "Are You Sure" (feat. Naira Marley & Zinoleesky) | [40] | |
| "Different Conversation Live 4" (with Seyi Vibez) | Rafat | ||
| 2022 | "Real Me" | Rafat | |
| "Destiny (Kadara)" | Non-album single | ||
| 2023 | "Wole Wa" | ||
| 2024 | "Sabi Boy" | ||
| "Drunk Love" | LEAK | ||
| 2025 | "Shine & Bright" | Non-album single | |
| "Scars n' Lesson" | |||
| 2026 | "Habibi" | ||
| "Finally" |
- As featured artist
| Year | Title | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | "That Same Boy" (Limerick featuring Lyta) | Non-album single |
| "Aje Remix" (Jaywon featuring Barry Jhay and Lyta) | ||
| "Okay" (TooClasiq featuring Lyta) | ||
| "Loke Loke" (Lol featuring Lyta) | ||
| "Be Happy" (Package AOC featuring Oritse Femi, Zamorra and Lyta) | ||
| "Ori" (Dexter Miles featuring Lyta) | ||
| 2022 | "Omo Ogbon" (T.I Blaze featuring Lyta) | |
| 2025 | "TOSPI" (AJEMO featuring Lyta) | |
| "Blessings" (lambaboi kizzie featuring Lyta) | ||
| 2026 | "Bread Winner" (Lagos Ibadan featuring Lyta) |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award ceremony | Prize | Recipient | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | The Headies | Next Rated | Himself | Nominated | [41][42] |
| Best Street-Hop Artiste | Nominated | ||||
| City People Music Awards | Most Promising Act of the Year | Nominated | [43] | ||
| Best New Act of the Year | Nominated |