Nigerian music executive and artist Azeez Fashola, widely known as Naira Marley, has finally addressed the public outcry and accusations surrounding the death of his former signee, Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, or Mohbad. In a new tell-all interview, Marley spoke in detail about their relationship, denying any involvement in Mohbad’s death and painting a picture of a complicated mentorship filled with personal struggles and professional disagreements.
The exclusive YouTube interview, which has captured the attention of the entertainment industry, comes almost two years after Mohbad’s passing. Marley used the platform to present his side of the story, outlining 16 key points about his time with the late artist.
Key Revelations from the Interview:
Early Ambition: Marley recounted signing Mohbad in December 2019, along with other rising acts. He described Mohbad as “hungry and passionate” with big dreams for his music career.
A “Very Easy” Contract: He stated that Mohbad’s contract was straightforward, featuring a 50/50 revenue split with the label covering all production and promotion costs.
Financial Transparency: Marley denied claims of financial exploitation, insisting that all earnings were transparent and fully accessible to Mohbad.
Drug Use Concerns: The singer revealed that he first noticed signs of Mohbad’s alleged drug use, specifically “ice,” around June 2020 and claimed to have confronted him about it.
Mohbad’s Apology: Marley said Mohbad apologized and attributed his drug use to stress, promising to stop.
Lexus Purchase: He confirmed that Mohbad purchased a Lexus in November 2021, a moment he said marked a significant career milestone for the young artist.
NDLEA Incident: Marley shared his shock over the NDLEA raid on February 24, 2022, and said he immediately cut his trip to Sweden short to offer Mohbad legal and emotional support.
Medical Support: He claimed to have covered Mohbad’s medical bills and other expenses following the NDLEA incident, citing a personal commitment to the singer’s well-being.
Suicide Intervention: Marley recounted a phone call from March 2022, where he spoke to a distraught Mohbad in Puerto Rico, convincing him not to attempt suicide.
Parental Involvement: During this difficult period, Marley said he ensured Mohbad’s parents were informed about his struggles, believing family support was crucial.
Puzzling Payments: Marley described a confusing financial situation where Mohbad repeatedly instructed him to send money to an account belonging to his mother-in-law, not his own mother.
Managerial Dispute: He detailed an altercation in October 2022 between Mohbad and his manager, Tunde, which Marley claimed was a key point of conflict before Mohbad left the label.
“Escape Plan” Allegation: The music boss suggested that Mohbad’s public accusations and tweets may have been part of a deliberate strategy to leave the label.
Contract Termination and DSP Money: Marley confirmed receiving a termination letter on October 7, 2022. He also alleged that Mohbad withdrew $72,000 from a digital service provider in December 2022, a move that created further financial issues between them.
Unanswered Apology: The last time Marley saw Mohbad was in October 2022. He revealed that Mohbad later expressed a desire to apologize, but Marley said he avoided reconciliation at the time, finding the situation “too much.”
Reaction to Death and Accusations: Marley said he learned of Mohbad’s death while in Amsterdam and was shocked by how quickly public sentiment turned against him. Despite being abroad, he returned to Nigeria to cooperate with police, which led to a two-month detention. He concluded by stating that his team is ready to release all of Mohbad’s royalties to the rightful legal beneficiaries.
The interview marks the most comprehensive public statement from Naira Marley on the subject, aiming to address the numerous claims and questions that have followed him since Mohbad’s tragic passing.
Watch Interview below;
