Libianca Releases Official Music Video For Breakout Single “People (Check On Me)”

Libianca Kenzonkinboum Fonji, the Cameroonian-American singer-songwriter known professionally as Libianca, has released the official music video for her breakout single, "People." The video, directed by filmmaker Ceo Jay of Ceo Jay Production, premiered globally on YouTube on January 19, 2023, and has rapidly accumulated viewership.

The 22-year-old artist first gained widespread recognition as a contestant on Season 21 of NBC's The Voice in 2021. However, her musical journey began much earlier. Libianca started singing at age six and began developing her songwriting skills between the ages of 10 and 11. Her foundational experiences included active participation in school choirs and the pursuit of local performance opportunities throughout her youth. This early dedication led to significant milestones, including securing her first professional recording contract in her mid-teens and independently releasing an Extended Play (EP) by age 16.

"People" has emerged as a viral phenomenon since its initial release, surpassing 50 million combined streams across leading digital music platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. The track's rapid ascent reflects significant listener engagement, with its resonance stemming from deeply personal origins. Libianca has publicly shared that she wrote and recorded the track during a period of acute mental health challenges, later revealing a diagnosis of Cyclothymia - a chronic mood disorder characterized by fluctuating periods of hypomanic and depressive symptoms.

Reflecting on the circumstances that inspired the single, Libianca described experiencing a profound low marked by depressive feelings and intrusive thoughts. "I felt overwhelmed and struggled to push through," she stated in an interview with Rollingstone. The song's creation occurred spontaneously during a Friendsgiving gathering at her residence when her emotional state intensified. After briefly withdrawing from the social event and recognizing an unhealthy reliance on alcohol for coping, she chose to channel her feelings into music.

"I went upstairs to one of the studios and thought, 'I need to record something,'" Libianca recounted. "I wasn’t in the mood to be social or post on social media, but I felt the need to express myself through music." She found an instrumental track produced by Mage the Producer on YouTube and began recording. "I closed my eyes, and the song just came out. It was exactly how I was feeling in that moment," she explained, describing the process as both cathartic and immediate.

Watch the official video for “People (Check On Me)” by Libianca on YouTube below

Libianca's candid discussion of her mental health journey has significantly amplified the song's emotional impact. Mental health advocates have noted the importance of such openness from public figures in reducing stigma. The artist has expressed a clear objective for her work: to foster healing and self-acceptance among her audience. "As long as I’m making music that connects with people and helps them not be ashamed of who they are, I’m doing what I’m supposed to do," Libianca affirmed.

Cyclothymia, the condition Libianca has been diagnosed with, is a less severe but often chronic form of bipolar disorder. It involves numerous periods of hypomanic symptoms, which can include an elevated mood, increased energy, and racing thoughts as well as periods of depressive symptoms, such as sadness, hopelessness, and fatigue. While the mood swings are less extreme than those in bipolar I or II disorder, they can significantly impact daily functioning.

Following the success of "People," Libianca has signed with 5K Records and RCA Records, positioning her for a promising international career. The single is available on all major streaming platforms.