…opens up on struggle with addiction
Thelma Osatohanmwen
During a candid interview on The Morning Rush on The Beat 99.9FM, renowned Nigerian singer Timaya stirred controversy by disclosing his reluctance to date Nigerian women, citing concerns about toxicity in relationships.
The Afrobeat sensation shared his unfiltered perspective on love, stressing the importance of understanding personal preferences in romantic connections.
Timaya asserted that while a person may not necessarily be wrong for someone else, they may not be the right fit either, highlighting the subjective nature of romantic compatibility.
“I don’t have a problem with Nigerian girls or Nigerian men. If I was a Nigerian girl, I won’t date a Nigerian man. And myself right now, I can’t date a Nigerian girl,” Timaya boldly declared, sparking intrigue among listeners.
When probed about the nationality of his current romantic interest, Timaya unequivocally rejected the notion of being involved with a Nigerian woman, stating, “Hell no.”
Explaining his rationale further, the singer expressed concerns about the potential toxicity of relationships with Nigerian women due to shared cultural backgrounds and upbringings.
He likened such relationships to a constant struggle akin to “police and thief,” where dishonesty and unnecessary conflict may prevail.
“The relationship would be like police and thief, it’s too toxic. We go dey lie for each other too much, wetin happen. Even when something no dey wrong, you go dey find problem,” Timaya elaborated, shedding light on the challenges he perceives in dating individuals with similar backgrounds.
Timaya also bared his soul, revealing his harrowing battle with addiction and the toll it took on his well-being.
The artist, known for hits like “Bum Bum” and “Balance,” bravely admitted to experimenting with drugs beyond marijuana, recounting a pivotal moment during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Timaya described attending a gathering where he encountered a substance called molly, which induced euphoria and intense happiness. Despite his initial curiosity and enjoyment of the drug’s effects, he soon found himself trapped in a cycle of addiction that took a severe toll on his physical and mental health.
“I’m not a saint, I’ve done drugs,” Timaya confessed during the interview, highlighting the challenges he faced in breaking free from addiction. He recounted how his reliance on molly led to significant weight loss and financial losses, as well as strained relationships with business associates.
The artist expressed gratitude to his fans who noticed the changes in his behavior and physique and urged him to seek help. Despite initially resisting their advice, Timaya eventually realized the detrimental effects of his addiction, acknowledging that it was an illusion that clouded his judgment and led to devastating consequences.
“People used to come to my DMs to tell me. I was taking like 3 pills every day. It was really messing me up,” Timaya admitted, reflecting on the dark period of his life.