The controversy surrounding Nigerian singer and Marlian Records boss Azeez Fashola, better known by his stage name Naira Marley, and his suspected role in the death of his former signee, Ilerioluwa Aloba, better known by his stage name Mohbad, has resurfaced, igniting debates about whether or not his denial should stand.
Naira Marley has been checking into the industry to revive himself, yet he never fails to get knocks back from many Nigerians, who insist he should not be found anywhere near the industry. This began to spread wildly, especially during the events involving both actor Yul Edochie and singer Ayra Starr.
The Origin of Naira Marley’s Cancellation
Before his death in September 2023, Mohbad had severed ties with Marlian Music, citing physical abuse and intimidation. Several videos showed him being harassed by individuals he claimed were sent by Naira Marley. One of the most damning clips involved Naira Marley’s close associate, Sam Larry, seen attacking Mohbad during a music video shoot with Zlatan.
Following Mohbad’s passing, public outrage exploded, leading to widespread calls for justice. Naira Marley and Sam Larry, who were both out of the country when Mohbad died, faced intense scrutiny, with many Nigerians accusing them of foul play. The police eventually arrested and detained the duo, but they were granted bail after questioning. Although they have not been directly linked to Mohbad’s death, their reputations remain damaged.
Beyond the allegations, the issue of Mohbad’s royalties has also fueled resentment toward Naira Marley. Reports indicate that some of Mohbad’s earnings are still under the control of Marlian Music, sparking calls for their release to his management.
The backlash against Naira Marley has had far-reaching effects, extending to his signee, Zinoleesky, who has also been subjected to online attacks. Many of their songs released since Mohbad’s death have struggled to gain traction, and major Nigerian concerts have excluded them from their lineups. Some radio stations have even reportedly banned Naira Marley’s songs from airplay.
Naira Marley’s Attempt to Revive His Career
On 12 June 2024, Naira Marley made a bold return to social media in what many interpreted as an attempt to reclaim his place in the industry. He shared a post reinforcing his identity as the leader of the Marlians, a name he coined for his fanbase.
His post read:
“As a Marlian, what people in the world think of you is not your business.”
In another post, he declared:
“Marlians 4 life.”
However, his comeback was met with fierce criticism. Numerous social media users bombarded the comment section for his comments, weighing him down by hurling accusations about furthering waywardness and immorality. Some of them even taunted him and said his movements had become irrelevant.
One user wrote:
“Marlians not existing anymore, dude.”
Another commented:
“Oya na, release a song so we can see who will stream it.”
The overwhelming sentiment suggested that Naira Marley faces an uphill battle in restoring his career.
Yul Edochie Sparks Fresh Reactions
In the midst of Naira Marley’s struggles, Nollywood actor Yul Edochie recently attempted to reintroduce him to public favour. He posted a video of himself dancing to one of Naira Marley’s latest songs and captioned it:
“My man, Naira Marley, is back. Welcome back, bro. We do miss you.”
This show of support did not sit well with many Nigerians. Social media users accused Yul Edochie of being insensitive, reminding him why Naira Marley was cancelled in the first place. Many insisted that he should not be celebrated until justice for Mohbad is fully served.
Ayra Starr Faces Backlash for Vibing to Naira Marley’s Song
Ayra Starr finds herself at the eye of the storm after a video of her dancing to a song by Naira Marley made its way to the internet, with critics slamming her for, in their opinion, endorsing the controversial musician instead of the industry taking a stance against him.
So Naira Marley reacted, taking to X with the words:
“Cry in peace and stop disturbing us with noise.”
In another post, he sarcastically added:
“Leave her alone and cancel me again.”
His remarks triggered even more conversations, with some questioning whether Nigerians should continue to boycott him or allow him to move forward.
Should Naira Marley’s Cancellation Continue?
As the two-year mark of Mohbad’s death approaches, the question remains: Should the public continue in their cancellation of Naira Marley, or has enough time passed that they had to move on? While some say he never got charged in court and should therefore be free to resume his career, others still argue that it is grossly inappropriate to endorse anybody as the justice has not been fully served.
With lingering resentment and ongoing legal battles over Mohbad’s royalties, it is difficult to determine whether Nigerians are willing to forgive the once-revered street music king. Even his die-hard fans, the Marlians, seem to have largely deserted him.
