Naira Marley

Azeez Adeshina Fashola (born 10 May 1991), widely known by his stage name Naira Marley, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and rapper prominent in the Afrobeats, hip hop, Afroswing, and Street pop genres. He is recognized as a key figure in Nigerian music since the late 2010s. Early Life and Education Naira Marley was born on 10 May 1991, in Badagry, Lagos State, Nigeria. He moved to Peckham, South London, England, at the age of 11. He studied at Peckham Academy before attending Crossways College (now known as Christ the King Sixth Form College) where he studied business law. Career Progression Naira Marley began rapping in 2013 after discovering his passion for music, encouraged by friends in the Queens Roads area of Peckham. He released the Max Twigz-assisted track "Marry Juana" and his debut EP, *Gotta Dance*, in 2014. His career gained significant traction with the 2017 track "Issa Goal," featuring Olamide and Lil Kesh, which became an unofficial anthem for the Super Eagles at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The period from 2019 onwards marked his rise to greater prominence, despite being punctuated by controversy. He released the hit single "Am I A Yahoo Boy" in 2019, which led to his arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Following his release, he released the controversial song "Soapy," which became a major street pop anthem and was included in his debut EP, *Lord of Lamba (LOL)*, released in December 2019. This period saw the establishment of his Marlian Records label and the creation of his dedicated fan base, known as "Marlians." Notable Works and Achievements Naira Marley's music is characterized by its blend of street-conscious lyrics, infectious beats, and use of Nigerian Pidgin and Yoruba. His discography includes notable singles such as "Issa Goal" (2017), "Am I A Yahoo Boy" (2019), "Soapy" (2019), "Opotoyi (Marlians)" (2019), and "As E Dey Go" (2020). His work has earned him several nominations and awards, including winning the Viewers' Choice award at the 2020 Soundcity MVP Awards. He has released EPs including *Gotta Dance* (2014) and *Lord of Lamba (LOL)* (2019). Current Status and Controversies Naira Marley has been involved in several high-profile controversies, including his arrest by the EFCC in 2019 and accusations of flouting COVID-19 lockdown orders in 2020. Most recently, his brand and record label faced a major scandal following the death of his former signee, MohBad (Mubad), in September 2023, where Naira Marley was publicly accused of bullying and involvement in the artist's death. This event led to radio stations banning his songs and a significant collapse of his public image and the Marlian movement's influence. He remains active in the music scene despite these ongoing challenges and maintains a large following on social media platforms, including over 12 million followers.