It is often said that the Nigerian music industry is dark. But the question of how dark has never really been asked not until recently, following the sad, shocking, and untimely passing of 27-year-old afrobeat artist Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, who is professionally known as Mohbad. The Ko Por Ke Crooner reportedly passed away on September 12 2023, from an ear infection.
However, other reports that have surfaced online alleged that the singer died due to bullying from Naira Marley, a recording artist who doubles as the owner of Marlian Records, to which Mohbad was signed. In February 2022, the late singer, Imole, cried to the public that Naira Marley and his crew were after his life. At the time, not many took the upcoming singer seriously. But in an expose published by Gistlover in a bid to unravel the circumstances surrounding Mohbad’s sudden passing, it seems like there is an iota of truth to it all. The gossip page alleged that Naira Marley uses his record label to recruit young, talented, hungry boys into illicit drug peddling. Of course, in exchange for fame and music gigs. Along the way, Mohbad, who gained fame in 2020, got tired of this life and wanted out. But Naira Marley refused to initially release the Headies Nominee from his 360 Recording deal, instead threatening the young man.
When he finally terminated Mohbad’s contract, the Marlian Label head reportedly used his connection in the music industry to shut down his career, even going as far as using music promoter Sam Larry to assault him physically, often beating him to a pulp. Unfortunately, just before his passing, Mohbad was reportedly involved in a brawl with a close friend, who was already in Naira Marley’s pocket, unknown to him. This friend hit the Ponmo hitmaker with a Juju Ring, causing an injury leading to his passing, leaving behind his young wife and 1-year-old son. Mohbad story, without a doubt, is nothing short of heartbreaking, and fans have been calling for justice on social media.
While the police have promised to investigate the matter, the controversy surrounding the late singer’s death has now got many connecting the dots between drugs, politics, and entertainment. But there are other dots to be connected. Dots such as other artists who have been victims of record labour issues but never got the right traction because it didn’t send them to an early grave. Who are these artists?
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