Naira Marley
Background information
Birth nameAzeez Adeshina Fashola
Also known asMarlians President
Born (1991-05-10) 10 May 1991
Badagry, Lagos State, Nigeria
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Years active2013 – present
Labels
  • Marlian Records[1]
  • MOVES Recordings

Azeez Adeshina Fashola (born 10 May 1991), known professionally as Naira Marley, is a British-Nigerian singer and songwriter.[2] He is known as the president of his controversial fan base, "Marlians".[3][4]

Education

At the age of 11, Fashola moved to Peckham, South London, England.[5] He graduated with a distinction in business from Peckham Academy in 2010. He also studied business law at Crossways College (now Christ the King Sixth Form College).[6]

Career

2014 – 2018: Career beginnings

While growing up, Fashola had plans of becoming an MC and a voice-over artist. He began rapping in 2013 after discovering his passion for music and was encouraged by close-knit friends from the Queens Roads area in Peckham to pursue his music career. He released the Max Twigz-assisted track "Marry Juana" before releasing his debut EP Gotta Dance in 2014.[7][8]

In December 2017, he released the Olamide and Lil Kesh-assisted single "Issa Goal", which became the theme song for the Super Eagles at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.[9][10] The official remix of "Issa Goal" was released on 16 June 2018; it featured vocals by Olamide, Lil Kesh, Falz, Simi and Slimcase.[11]

Marley sings in English, Pidgin and Yoruba; his music is a blend of Afrobeats and hip-hop. He derived his stage name from Jamaican singer Bob Marley, whom he admires; his dreadlocks are also a tribute to the singer.[12]

2019 – present: musical releases, Marlian Records and debut album

Marley released the Zlatan-assisted track "Am I A Yahoo Boy"[13] on 3 May 2019, and was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that same day.[14][15] He released "Soapy" on 27 June 2019, a few days after he was released from prison.[16] On 11 January 2020, he won Viewers' Choice for "Soapy" at the 2020 Soundcity MVP Awards.[17]

On 18 December 2019, Marley released his second EP Lord of Lamba which was a mixture of Afrobeats and hip-hop.[18][19] The EP comprised six tracks and featured guest artists such as CBlvck, Young John and Mayorkun.[20] Its production was handled by Killertunes, Rexxie, and Studio Magic.[21][22]

During the "Marlian Fest", which was held at the Eko Hotels and Suites on 30 December 2019, Marley announced the launch of his record label Marlian Records and unveiled CBlvck, Zinoleesky, and Fabian Blu as signed acts.[23] On 10 July 2020, Marley unveiled another act under his label, Emo Grae, with a new single and visual titled 0903 featuring Buju.[24]

On 21 June 2021, Marley announced a new album God's Timing Is The Best, to be released after the official video for his song "COMING".[25]

Controversies

EFCC arrest

On 10 May 2019, the EFCC arrested Marley and his friends Zlatan, Tiamiu Kayode, Adewunmi Adeyanju Moses, Micheal "Taqueesh" Adenuga, and Abubakar Musa.[26] The arrest was made a day after Marley released the video for the controversial single "Am I A Yahoo Boy".[27] Five days later, the EFCC released Zlatan and three others but kept Marley in custody due to the evidence against him.[28] On 16 May 2019, the EFCC charged him with 11 counts of fraud before a federal high court in Ikoyi, Lagos.[29] On 19 May 2019, Zlatan released the single "4 Nights In Ekohtiebo" while Marley was still in prison. In it, he talks about his industry friends, foes, and other people who he admired and how they came through for him.[30] In May 2019, Marley was arraigned and pleaded not guilty; a bail hearing was set for 30 May 2019.[31] On the day of the bail hearing, Marley released "Why", a song that was accompanied by an image of him in handcuffs. On 14 June 2019, he was released from jail 14 days after being granted ₦2,000,000 bail.[32] A few days later, he released "Soapy", a track about the sexual habits of inmates in detention.[33][34]

In October 2019, Marley returned to court to face the charges.[35] His case was later adjourned to 27 February 2020 after an EFCC witness testified against him.[36]

Flouting lockdown order

Naira Marley was detained by the Nigerian Police Force for contravening the lockdown order imposed by President Muhammadu Buhari to contain the spread of coronavirus in the country.[37] On 13 June 2020, he performed at a concert in Abuja despite the interstate travel ban and social distancing rules aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19.[38] He was arraigned by the FCT Administration before a mobile court in Abuja over the concert.[39][40]

Valentine's concert in Cameroon

On Saturday 13 February 2021, a report surfaced online that the Marley Valentine's Concert in Cameroon had been canceled by Cameroon government authorities. The concert had already been postponed twice by the organizer and moved to different venues but was later cancelled entirely. According to Nigerian music journalist Joey Akan, the cancellation was due to jealousy on the part of Cameroonian entertainers who are displeased with the traction Nigerian music and musicians have in Cameroon.[41][42]

Assault allegation

On 5 October 2022, Marley was accused of assault by his signee MohBad in a series of statements on MohBad's social media. The posts featured pictures and videos of him with noticeable injuries that necessitated hospitalization.[43][44] Marley responded to the accusation by calling the incident a "family affair", claiming Mohbad was likely "high" when making the complaint.[45]

Discography

Albums

EPs

  • Gotta Dance (2014)
  • Lord of Lamba (2019)[48]

Singles

Year Title Album Ref
2016 Kosi Werey — [49]
2017 Issa Goal — [50][51]
2018 Japa — [52]
2019 Am I A Yahoo Boy — [53]
2019 Opotoyi (Marlians) — [54]
2019 Why —
2019 Soapy —
2019 Back2work —
2019 Bad influence —
2019 Mafo Lord of Lamba
2019 Tesumole Lord of Lamba [55]
2019 Isheyen Lord of Lamba
2019 Yanyanyan Lord of Lamba
2020 Aye —
2020 Dido lobo —
2020 Mofoti —
2020 Anywhere —
2020 As E Dey Go — [56]
2020 Idi Oremi (Opotoyi 2) — [57]
2020 Chi Chi — [58]
2020 Koleyewon — [59]
2021 Coming featuring Busiswa) — [60]
2021 Drug Test — [61]
2021 First Time In America — [62]

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryRecipientResultRef
2020 Soundcity MVP Awards Viewers' Choice "Soapy" Won [63]
Song of the Year Nominated
Best Pop Himself Nominated
2019 City People Music Awards Artiste of the Year (Male) Nominated [64]
Street Song of the Year "Soapy" Nominated

References

  1. ↑ Augoye, Jayne (2 January 2020). "Naira Marley floats record label, signs four artistes". Premium Times. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  2. ↑ "Naira Marley: Tins you suppose know about Afeez Fashola aka Naira Beans". BBC. 21 May 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  3. ↑ Okanlawon, Taiwo (29 December 2019). "Naira Marley premieres new dance moves in "Tesumole"". P.M. News. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  4. ↑ Abraham, Anthony Ada (9 November 2019). "Marlian Movement And Their Crazy Lifestyle". Leadership Newspaper. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  5. ↑ "Naira Marley, Career, Background, Biography". NotJustOk. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  6. ↑ "Naira Marley Net Worth, Biography, Cars, and Lifestyle". PunchyInfo. 12 December 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  7. ↑ Mcquaid, Ian (2 March 2018). "Get to know Naira Marley, the Lagos via Peckham MC pioneering afrobashment". Mixmag. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  8. ↑ Obialo, Maduawuchi (15 November 2019). "Naira Marley Biography, Net Worth and More". Nigerian Guide. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  9. ↑ Onyekwena, Chiagoziem (23 June 2018). "How Naira Marley's Issa Goal became Nigeria's World Cup, 2018 theme song". The Guardian Nigeria. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  10. ↑ "From Naija Issa Goal to Leggo, Coca-Cola Keeps the Ball Rolling in Music". THISDAYLIVE. 3 May 2019. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  11. ↑ "[Song] Naira Marley, Falz, Olamide, Simi, Lil Kesh and Slimcase – Naija IssaGoal (Remix)". tooXclusive. 16 June 2018. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  12. ↑ Hernandez, Dammie (8 June 2019). "Naira Marley Biography, Life History, Net Worth, Age". Kikiotolu. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  13. ↑ Augoye, Jayne (10 May 2019). "Naira Marley: Why I shot 'Am I a Yahoo Boy' video – TG Omori | Premium Times Nigeria". Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  14. ↑ Pierre, Alphonse (13 May 2019). "New Rap Song of the Day: Naira Marley and Zlatan "Am I a Yahoo Boy"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  15. ↑ Alake, Motolani (3 May 2019). "Naira Marley and Zlatan look to benefit from controversy with 'Am I A Yahoo Boy?'". Pulse NG. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  16. ↑ Alake, Motolani (1 July 2019). "Naira Marley 'Soapy', soapy dance and the criticism [Pulse Opinion]". Pulse NG. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  17. ↑ Augoye, Jayne (12 January 2020). "Naira Marley wins first major award at Soundcity MVP (Full list of winners)". Premium Times. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  18. ↑ Samanga, Rufaro (18 December 2019). "Listen to Naira Marley's New EP 'Lord of Lamba'". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  19. ↑ Alake, Motolani (18 December 2019). "Naira Marley – Lord of Lamba (LOL) [Album Review]". Pulse NG. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  20. ↑ "Album Review: Naira Marley 'Lord of Lamba' EP caps off his unique year". The Sun Nigeria. 29 December 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  21. ↑ "[Full EP] Naira Marley – "LOL" (Lord Of Lamba) EP". tooXclusive. 17 December 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  22. ↑ "Naira Marley's Lord of Lamba EP caps off his unique year". Pulse NG. 30 December 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  23. ↑ Alake, Motolani (2 January 2020). "Naira Marley announces new label, Marlian Records, signs four artists". Pulse NG. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  24. ↑ "Photo: [Music + Video] Marlian Music New Artiste ➺ "EMO Grae" Drops "0903" Ft. Buju". naijaloaded. 10 July 2020. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  25. ↑ "Naira Marley Reveals The Name Of His New Album, Shares Release Date". LoadedMoreNG. 21 June 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  26. ↑ "Photo: Behold Naira Marley, four others arrested by EFCC". P.M. News. 10 May 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  27. ↑ "[Video] Naira Marley x Zlatan – Am I A Yahoo Boy". Naijaloaded. 9 May 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  28. ↑ Augoye, Jayne (15 May 2019). "Zlatan, three others freed, Naira Marley still in EFCC custody". Premium Times. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  29. ↑ Inyang, Ifreke (16 May 2019). "EFCC files 11 charges against Naira Marley". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  30. ↑ "5 Zlatan – 4 Nights In Ekohtiebo". Naijaloaded. 19 May 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  31. ↑ Okonofua, Odion (20 May 2019). "5 things that happened at Naira Marley's court case hearing". Pulse NG. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  32. ↑ "BREAKING: Naira Marley Released 14 Days After He Was Granted Bail". Sahara Reporters. 14 June 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  33. ↑ "Naira Marley deserves criticism for 'Soapy', but there's a slight complication". Pulse NG. 1 July 2019. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  34. ↑ ""Soapy" dance: Prison care advocate slams Naira Marley". Tribuneonline. 4 July 2019. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  35. ↑ Okonofua, Odion (22 October 2019). "Naira Marley back in court over alleged cyber fraud [Video]". Pulse NG. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  36. ↑ "EFCC witness testifies against Naira Marley". Premium Times. 12 December 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  37. ↑ "Police detains Naira Marley over Funke Akindele's house party". The Guardian. 6 April 2020. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  38. ↑ Augoye, Jayne (14 June 2020). "Amidst COVID-19, Naira Marley holds Abuja concert". Premium Times. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  39. ↑ "FCT Administration Arraigns Naira Marley Before Mobile Court Over Abuja Concert". Sahara Reporters. 7 August 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  40. ↑ "Naira Marley fined for Abuja concert during lockdown". Dateline Nigeria. 7 August 2020. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  41. ↑ GYOnlineNG.COM (16 February 2021). "GYOnlineNG.COM". GYOnlineNG.COM.
  42. ↑ Gist, Yinka (16 February 2021). "Why Naira Marley's Valentine Concert Cancelled In Cameroon". GYOnlineNG.COM. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  43. ↑ Adebiyi, Adeayo (5 October 2022). "Mohbad alleges that he was beaten in Naira Marley's Marlian Record House". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  44. ↑ "Mohbad demands change of manager, singer assaulted". Punch Newspapers. 5 October 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  45. ↑ efosataiwo@vanguardngr.com (5 October 2022). "Naira Marley dismisses Mohbad's assault claim, says issue'll be resolved". Vanguard News. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  46. ↑ Adebiyi, Adeayo (6 June 2022). "God's Timing Is The Best,' but Naira Marley's album isn't [Pulse Album Review]". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  47. ↑ Interviews, Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews &; Murray, Robin (19 May 2022). "Naira Marley Announces New Album 'God's Timing's The Best'". Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews. Retrieved 8 November 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  48. ↑ Edeme, Victoria (14 December 2022). "Burna Boy, Wizkid, other artistes with 2022 albums". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  49. ↑ "Naira Marley x Olamide – "Ko Si Werey"". tooxclusive.com. Tomiwa. 16 May 2019. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
  50. ↑ Nigeria, Guardian (23 June 2018). "How Naira Marley's Issa Goal became Nigeria's World Cup, 2018 theme song". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  51. ↑ "Naira Marley, Olamide & Lil Kesh's Viral 'Issa Goal' Dance Is Here - Okayplayer". www.okayafrica.com. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  52. ↑ Patterson, Joseph JP. "Premiere: Afroswing Pioneer Naira Marley Is On A Getaway Mission In New "JAPA" Video". Complex. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  53. ↑ "The Ones: Naira Marley and Zlatan's "Am I a Yahoo Boy"". Yahoo Entertainment. 13 May 2019. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  54. ↑ BellaNaija.com (7 June 2019). "New Video: Naira Marley – Opotoyi (Marlians)". BellaNaija. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  55. ↑ "Naira Marley – Tesumole". skypahitz.com. Skypa. 15 May 2023. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  56. ↑ "Naira Marley – As E Dey Go)". tottenhamdefencecampaign.co.uk. Ana. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
  57. ↑ "Naira Marley – Idi Oremi (Opotoyi 2)". sheldox.com. Jakar. Retrieved 9 November 2022.
  58. ↑ "Naira Marley – Chi Chi". itsxclusive.com. Emino. Retrieved 9 November 2022.
  59. ↑ "Naira Marley – Koleyewon". hawkboard. 8 January 2022. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  60. ↑ "[Video] Naira Marley X Busiswa – "Coming" « tooXclusive". tooXclusive. 29 June 2021. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  61. ↑ "Naira Marley – Drug Test". xclusiveloaded.com. DJ Jazzy. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
  62. ↑ "Naira Marley – First Time In America". karoloaded.com. Sixtus. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  63. ↑ Alake, Motolani (12 January 2020). "Davido, Naira Marley, Burna Boy, Rema, Fireboy and the winners at the Soundcity MVP Awards 2020". Pulse NG. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  64. ↑ "#CityPeopleMusicAwards: Nominees List Out". City People Magazine. 25 October 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
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