Introducing: Love Itoya

Introducing Love Itoya: the electrifying Greek-Nigerian Pop Fusion artist taking the music world by storm! With her soulful voice, dynamic dance moves, and magnetic stage presence, Love has captivated audiences at iconic London venues like The Forge, The Lower Third, and Café Koko, as well as major events like London Pride and Lambeth Country Festival. A 2024 BEFFTA Award winner for Best UK African Artist, she’s also left her mark internationally, performing at festivals such as Klaipeda Jazz Festival and Korce Beer Festival.

Her debut EP Introduction has racked up over 100k streams, and she’s shared stages with legends like Morcheeba and Billy Cobham. With accolades from Germany’s Nollywood Film Festival and nominations at the Josie Music Awards (USA), Love Itoya is a force to be reckoned with. Prepare to be inspired by this rising star’s journey, passion, and undeniable talent!

Your new single, Space, is deeply personal and explores themes of healing, empowerment, and reclaiming identity. Can you share the story behind the track and how your journey shaped its creation?

“Space” was produced by me and my incredible producer, Kiffa Soul, with a strong female energy driving the production.

Co-written by me and my talented brother Life Itoya. To be honest, I never imagined a song would come along that would make me feel so authentically myself.

The hook was already in my head, I love coming to the studio with melodies ready. But what I didn’t expect was how the beat we were crafting from scratch would perfectly match what I had envisioned. In that moment, we just knew this was the song. It was an organic, magical moment in the studio, and we instantly fell in love with it. 

My journey has shaped the creation of “Space” in every way. It’s a reflection of my struggles to reclaim my identity.

Every lyric carries a piece of my story, and the process of writing it was like revisiting those moments with a new perspective. “Space” isn’t just a track, it’s a declaration of everything I've learned, the power of owning your narrative, standing your ground, and finding healing through music. My journey gave the song its heart. Without those experiences, “Space” wouldn’t exist in its current form, it’s truly a product of who I am and where I’ve been.

You’ve described Space as a blend of Afro Soul with influences from your Edo and Esan roots. How do you incorporate your Nigerian heritage into your music, and what does it mean to you to share that with a global audience?

When you listen to “Space,” it takes you on a journey , one filled with beautiful sounds and vibrant beats. It blends Afro rhythms, soulful vibes, all woven together by my raw, powerful vocals. The song is a fusion of diverse sounds, with elements from different dialects. I even had my parents help me write the lyrics in my Edo and Esan dialects, honoring my roots. My parents are both from Edo State, Benin City, but they come from different tribes and speak different dialects. My dad is from the Esan tribe, specifically Uromi, while my mum is from the Edo tribe. Each tribe has its own uniqueness, and I wanted to showcase that, especially to my Edo and Esan communities. As a female artist, I don’t often see someone like me in the mainstream, and I want to represent my roots. “Space” is my way of connecting to my Nigerian heritage. Though I’m Greek-Nigerian, I want the world to know that my Nigerian roots are at the heart of who I am.

As a producer on Space, alongside Kiffa Soul, how did you approach creating the track’s sound? What message or emotion were you most focused on conveying through the production?

I wanted anyone who listens to “Space” to truly feel the depth of pain and emotion I’ve poured into it. We spent countless hours perfecting every percussion beat, background harmonies and instrumental sound to capture and amplify that raw, vulnerable energy and representation.

At first glance, “Space” may seem upbeat, but if you really listen to the lyrics, you’ll uncover a deeply personal story, a reflection of the trauma, obstacles, and battles I’ve faced in my life. At its core, “Space” is my protest song. It’s about self love , prioritising your metal health , reclaiming your space, owning it unapologetically, and refusing to let anyone cross those boundaries.

This song is for those who feel depressed, isolated, or unfairly judged. It’s for anyone who has felt unseen and needs to be reminded of their worth. I want it to be a companion for those moments when you need to cry, laugh ,dance through the pain, or summon the strength to rise again. “Space” is for everyone who’s ready to take back their power and stand free in their truth.

You’ve performed at iconic venues and major festivals around the world. How do you translate the energy of your live performances into your recorded music, and how has your stage experience influenced Space?

Most people don’t know this, but I get far more nervous in the recording studio than I do on stage. In the studio, it’s like I’m stripped down to my most vulnerable self like a baby, scared and unsure. But working with my incredible female producer, Kiffa Soul, in her home studio completely changed that for me. She created such a supportive and freeing space that I found myself letting go of that fear and tapping into my confidence.

Performing live has been my greatest teacher. Singing in front of thousands of people has taught me how to connect, own the moment, and execute my craft with intention. I tried to bring that same energy and confidence into “Space”, channeling the raw, electric feeling of being on stage. But the studio and live performances are two completely different worlds, each demanding its own approach. In the studio, it’s about vulnerability, precision, and introspection. On stage, it’s about presence, connection, and letting go. With “Space”, I wanted to fuse both worlds to make listeners feel like they’re experiencing the closeness of the studio and the power of a live performance.

With accolades like the BEFFTA Award for Best UK African Artist and nominations across the globe, how do you balance your growth as an artist with staying true to your cultural roots and personal storytelling?

Life and family keep me grounded and humble, always reminding me of where I started and the journey that brought me here. Winning the 2024 BEFFTA Award for Best UK African Artist was the validation. I needed to keep going, to stay true to myself, and to continue speaking my truth while showcasing my God-given talent.

I want people to know that every song I sing comes from my own life, it’s my story, written by me, and I am the best person to express and deliver it authentically. My hope is to inspire and empower other Black women like me, showing them that their voices, stories, and dreams are powerful and worth sharing with the world.