Nigerian singer and rapper YCee has spoken publicly about his struggle with mental health, revealing that he was diagnosed with a mental health condition in 2020.
Speaking on the Afropolitan podcast, the musician, whose real name is Oludemilade Martin Alejo, says the diagnosis played a major role in his break from the music industry.
YCee explains that he spent six months in London during the Covid-19 lockdown and was hospitalised for around three months following the diagnosis.
“In 2020, I got diagnosed with a mental health condition during the lockdown. I was in London for six months and was in-and-out of hospital for about three months,” he says.
The rapper says he later returned to Nigeria to continue treatment because of visa restrictions.
“I had to return to Nigeria to continue treatment because of the type of visa I was on. Coming back to Lagos and getting into the system of mental health in Nigeria, it was a very, very long six years,” he says.
YCee adds that he underwent several hospitalisations, remained on medication and continues to attend therapy sessions.
“It was up and down. Sometimes it is looking good and sometimes, it just gets really dark,” he recalls.
The ‘Omo Alhaji’ hitmaker says his condition is now stable following years of treatment and therapy, marking a significant step in his recovery journey.
Erizia Rubyjeana
