In the midst of a pandemic that has brought isolation, anxiety, and depression to millions of people, Libianca’s candid lyrics have struck a chord with listeners around the world with more than 150 million streams since December 2022.
The emotional ballad speaks directly to the pain of feeling invisible and unheard, and the desperate need for human connection.
For the 22-year-old singer from Cameroon, “People” is more than just a hit song. It’s a personal and vulnerable reflection of her own mental health journey.
“Living with cyclothymia is like living on a rollercoaster,” she says. “You never know when you’re going to go up or down, and it can be really exhausting.”
What is Cyclothymia
Cyclothymia is a type of bipolar disorder characterized by mood swings but less severe and more frequent.
People with cyclothymia experience periods of hypomania, an elevated mood, energy, and creativity, followed by periods of mild to moderate depression.
These episodes can last for days or weeks at a time, and can be triggered by stress, lack of sleep, or other factors.
For Libianca, the highs and lows of cyclothymia have been a constant challenge. She says that writing music has been a form of therapy for her, helping her to process her emotions and express herself creatively.
“When I’m in a low mood, it’s really hard for me to do anything,” she says.
“But when I’m in a creative space, it’s like a switch flips in my brain and suddenly I have all this energy and inspiration.”
“People” was born out of one of Libianca’s darkest moments. The song’s haunting refrain – “did you check on me?” – is a plea for connection and support, a reminder that even the strongest among us need help sometimes.