Gospel singer L-Jay Maasai opens up on battling depression after music hiatus
By William Muthama, June 4, 2026Gospel singer L-Jay Maasai has opened up about a difficult chapter in his life, revealing that he battled depression during a period when he stepped away from the music scene.
In an interview on Thursday, June 4, 2026, the artiste shared that his mental health challenges began after facing a series of personal and professional setbacks.
He explained that the situation became overwhelming, forcing him to step back from normal life and reassess his priorities.
L-Jay described how his life changed drastically, saying he went from being active and focused on his goals to feeling lost and overwhelmed.
He admitted that he experienced depression during this period, which deeply affected his ability to function and make decisions.
“Life has gotten worse… I was not mentally fit to handle everything,” he said.
According to him, the pressure of unmet expectations and personal challenges played a major role in his emotional decline.
Struggles with goals
The Laleiyo hitmaker reflected on how ambition and life goals can sometimes become a source of stress when things do not go as planned.
He explained that he had set high expectations for himself, including career success and supporting his family, but found it difficult to achieve them at the time.
“I went through depression… very much so,” he said, reflecting on the period.
He suggested that losing direction and failing to meet personal goals contributed significantly to his emotional state.
Personal challenges
L-Jay Maasai also revealed that his struggles were worsened by personal and family-related issues, as well as the impact of the COVID-19 period. He shared that the situation became so intense that he had to leave his home for a period of time while trying to cope with stress and uncertainty.
“If you don’t have goals in life… then depression comes when you fail to achieve what you planned,” he explained.
He further admitted that he made the difficult decision to step away from a relationship, explaining that he felt mentally unfit to maintain it at the time.
Despite the challenges, L-Jay emphasised the importance of understanding mental health and recognizing when to take a break.
He highlighted how emotional strain, lack of direction, and pressure can affect anyone, regardless of success or background.
His story adds to the growing number of public figures speaking out about mental health struggles, encouraging more openness around depression and emotional well-being.