Who is Iyah May? Karmaggedon lyrics controversy explored as singer loses contract over refusal to make any changes

Iyah May, an Australian singer-songwriter, recently acquired popularity when her latest song Karmageddon went viral on social media. She disclosed in an Instagram post on November 19, 2024, that when she refused to alter the song's lyrics, her manager terminated her contract.

“My manager ended our contract because I wouldn't change these lyrics,” Iyah wrote.

Throughout the song, May sings about "big pharma," a "man-made virus," "cancel culture," and a war she calls "genocide." May's website further stated that the song discusses the Israel-Palestine conflict, brutality against women, the epidemic narrative, corruption in political, pharmaceutical, and health institutions, and the social unrest that has engulfed the world in recent years.

May, whose real name is Marguerite Clark, was born in Cairns, Queensland, before relocating to Brisbane, as per Newsweek on December 31, 2024. According to her website, May's mother and elder sisters raised her in a "tiny rainforest village in Far North Queensland, Australia.” As a "broke" medical student studying HIV in New York, she started her musical career.

---

Karmaggedon singer Iyah May is an ex-medical student

Iyah May is an Australian singer (Image via Instagram/@iyahmayhem)

Iyah May’s musical career started after a chance journey in an NYPD car to rapper Shaggy's house, where she performed a cover song. She used to perform under the name 'Mayah' prior to adopting the stage name 'Iyah May.'

The bio on her website further reads:

“Fuelled by my own despair over a divided world and deceitful corporations, I channelled my frustration into Karmageddon. My career as a doctor has been greatly impacted, and I was affected on a deep and personal level. For a long time, I felt isolated with my opinions. This song reflects the helplessness many of us feel in these dark times."

She also claimed to have worked on the frontlines as a doctor during the peak of the COVID-19 outbreak, as evidenced by the photos and video footage of her work on Instagram.

May, who recorded under the name 'Mayah' before changing it in 2018, further mentioned on her website that her favorite music genres include pop, R&B, hip-hop, and classical, and her favorite album is Lauryn Hill's The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.

She was motivated to write about Karmageddon by her work in the medical field. Some of the lyrics of the track read:

“Gender, guns, religion and abortion rights/ You better pick a tribe and hate the other side… Man made virus watch the millions die/ Biggest profit of their lives... Turn on the news and eat their lies/ Kim or Kanye pick a side/ Cancel culture what a vibe.”

Even though she lost her management and contract, May's Karmageddon went viral and received likes and support from all across the world.

She thanked those who supported her, writing on Instagram:

"Thank you for getting behind this track with me. It’s been a journey to get this song out there and there were people who tried to stop this from happening. It’s crazy how CRAZY speaking truth can make people. Since when is so much of the world desensitised to lies and so agitated by truth."

In another post on January 1, she stated:

"I’m so glad I released Karmageddon. Against all odds it’s making its way into the world. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that embracing your full authentic self is the most liberating act of love. Speaking out truth even when forces come against you is far more rewarding than silencing your integrity. Happy new year and love to you..."

---

Meanwhile, following her Instagram posts, Iyah May’s manager hasn’t made any comments as of yet.