People

"People" is a deeply personal anthem about the isolation of depression and the invisibility of mental health struggles. At its core, the song addresses the paradox of being surrounded by people yet feeling completely alone. Libianca uses her lyrics to dismantle the facade of the "strong friend," revealing that even those who appear functional or social may be battling severe internal demons.

The central theme revolves around unseen suffering. The repeated question, "Did you check on me?" serves as both an accusation and a plea, highlighting the superficial nature of many modern relationships where physical presence is mistaken for emotional connection. The song explicitly references coping mechanisms like alcohol consumption ("drinking more alcohol for the past five days") not as a party activity, but as a form of self-medication to numb the pain of a mood disorder.

Implicitly, the song explores the experience of Cyclothymia, a mood disorder Libianca herself has been diagnosed with. The lyrics convey the exhausting highs and lows of the condition, where the sufferer can be the life of the party one moment and drowning in despair the next, often without anyone noticing the shift. The "people" in the song represent the outside world that consumes the artist's energy and presence without offering the deep empathy or care required to truly "know" her.

The song opens with a raw, confessional admission of substance abuse as a coping mechanism. The narrator reveals they have been consuming alcohol excessively for nearly a week, using it to numb an internal ache. Immediately following this confession is a poignant rhetorical question directed at their social circle, asking if anyone had actually bothered to check on their well-being during this period of self-destruction. The silence that follows implies a painful answer: no one noticed.

As the narrative progresses, the focus shifts to the disconnect between outward appearances and inner reality. The narrator observes the people around them—acquaintances, friends, or perhaps just the general public—and realizes that despite being surrounded by others, they remain profoundly unknown. These observers see the physical presence but are blind to the narrator's mental state and hidden struggles. There is a sense of paranoia and bitter realization that the smiles exchanged are superficial, masking the narrator's feeling of being buried alive by their own emotions.

The song delves deeper into the symptoms of the narrator's distress, describing physical signs like red eyes and the continued reliance on smoking and drinking to maintain a façade of normalcy or simply to survive the day. A specific reference is made to a 'holy father,' serving as a desperate plea or prayer for salvation from this drowning sensation. The narrator expresses a terrifying duality: the fear of their own mind and the exhaustion of fighting a battle that no one else can see. They describe a state of being where they are physically present but emotionally and spiritually withering, creating a jarring juxtaposition between their lively environment and their dying spirit.

In the concluding moments, the lyrics turn into a repetitive, almost mantra-like plea for survival. The narrator begs not to be let go, asking for a lifeline to keep their head above water. It transforms from a complaint about others' ignorance into a desperate prayer for personal preservation, acknowledging that while they feel invisible to the world, they are fighting with everything they have to stay alive.

"People" was born out of a moment of genuine vulnerability and despair in November 2022. Libianca wrote the song during a period she describes as a "low" caused by her Cyclothymia. The specific catalyst was a Friendsgiving party she was hosting at her own home. Despite being the hostess and surrounded by friends, she felt an overwhelming sense of sadness and invisibility.

Feeling unable to maintain the celebratory façade, she retreated to the bathroom to cry. After composing herself, she returned to the party, where a friend unknowingly offered her a shot of Casamigos tequila. She took the shot but realized that she had been using alcohol to cope for days and that no one had noticed her absence or her pain. Feeling disconnected, she quietly left her own party and went upstairs to her recording studio.

There, she recorded the song in a raw, stream-of-consciousness style. She later described the recording process as a "therapy session," with the melody and lyrics flowing out of her as a release of the emotions she had been suppressing. The track was produced by Mage The Producer. Libianca posted a snippet on TikTok, where it resonated instantly with millions, going viral before its official release on December 5, 2022.

The song features a rhythmic structure heavily influenced by West African percussion, with a steady, syncopated shaker and drum pattern that drives the track forward. The rhyme scheme is often simple and repetitive (AAAA or AABB variations), which reinforces the obsessive, looping nature of depressive thoughts.

For instance, the repetition of "People, people, people" creates a rhythmic hook that mimics a heartbeat or a ticking clock, emphasizing the constant, overwhelming presence of others. The lyrical rhythm is syncopated, sitting in the pocket of the beat, which allows the heavy subject matter to be digestible and even catchy. This interplay—a danceable beat carrying a heavy message—is a hallmark of the song's success, allowing it to be played in clubs while carrying a somber meaning.

Musical Duality: The most striking technique in "People" is the contrast between its production and its lyrical content. The song is built on a gentle, rhythmic Afrobeats and Afro-Soul groove, typically associated with dancing and good vibes. This upbeat instrumentation clashes intentionally with the melancholic, desperate lyrics, mirroring the song's theme of hiding depression behind a functional exterior.

Vocal Delivery: Libianca employs a soulful, weary vocal style. She uses a melodic flow that draws from R&B, but her enunciation and phrasing often dip into Pidgin English and Cameroonian vernacular (e.g., "make you no leave me"), grounding the song in her cultural identity while maintaining universal appeal. Her voice often sounds close to the microphone, creating an intimate, confessional atmosphere.

Rhetorical Questioning: The hook relies heavily on the rhetorical question, "Did you check on me?" This technique directly engages the listener, forcing them to introspect about their own relationships and complicity in the neglect of their loved ones.

"People" became a global viral phenomenon, particularly on TikTok, where it sparked a massive conversation about mental health, "high-functioning" depression, and the importance of checking on friends. It resonated deeply across the African diaspora and beyond, bridging the gap between Afrobeats and Western pop balladry.

Chart Success: The song was a commercial juggernaut. It peaked at #2 on the UK Official Singles Chart, making Libianca the highest-charting Cameroonian artist in UK history. It also reached #1 in the Netherlands and Suriname, and cracked the US Billboard Hot 100, a rare feat for a debut Afrobeats track. It topped the UK Afrobeats Chart for several weeks.

Legacy: The song solidified Libianca as a major new voice in Afro-Soul. It spawned several high-profile remixes, including versions with Ayra Starr, Omah Lay, and Becky G, further expanding its global reach. It is cited as a prime example of the "sad girl Afrobeats" sub-genre, showing that African music can be introspective and down-tempo while still being commercially successful.

The song utilizes vivid imagery to externalize internal pain. The "alcohol" acts as a primary symbol for numbing and escapism. It represents the barrier the narrator places between herself and her reality, as well as the destructive habits that often accompany untreated depression. The specific mention of "five days" emphasizes a prolonged, unnoticed period of suffering.

The word "People" itself is used metonymically to represent society and superficial connections. By repeating the word, it loses its warmth and becomes a monolith of faceless observers who "don't really know you." This emphasizes the alienation the narrator feels.

The line "I've been in my grave" is a powerful metaphor for depression. It suggests that while she is physically alive and walking among others, emotionally and spiritually she feels dead or buried. This creates a haunting image of a 'living ghost' that highlights the severity of her mental state. The "Holy Father" reference symbolizes a last resort—a plea to the divine when human connection has failed to provide comfort or safety.

"Did you check on me?": This is the central motif of the song. Its repetition transforms it from a simple question into a desperate mantra. It anchors the song's emotional arc, moving from a query to an accusation to a plea.

"I've been drinking more alcohol...": This phrase establishes the setting and the stakes immediately. Recurring throughout the song, it serves as a status update on her deteriorating condition, reminding the listener that the crisis is ongoing.

"Holy Father" / "Oh Lord": These spiritual invocations recur as the narrator's desperation peaks. They represent the only entity she feels might actually hear her when the "people" around her do not.