After a short time at the Stranded label, Billy Bolero [sv] took Di Leva to the newly-established Papa Records.

Di Leva said "I want to create great art in the form of simple music for the large audience."

With the song "Kom till mig", recorded with strings from Fläskkvartetten and the Raj Montana Band, Di Leva reached the Trackslistan in 1985 for the first time and had his first hit.

Vem ska jag tro på  [sv] was released in autumn 1987 and became Di Leva's breakthrough album.

Di Leva took part in Melodifestivalen 2012 with the song "Ge aldrig upp" (Never Give Up) but failed to qualify in the finals.