Azeez Adeshina Fashola (born 10 May 1991), known professionally as Naira Marley, is a Nigerian-British singer, songwriter and rapper.
Naira Marley - My Side Of The Story
Naira Marley performing in 2022.
Background and Early Career
At the age of 11, Fashola moved to Peckham, South London, England. He graduated with a distinction in business from Peckham Academy in 2010. 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.
British-Nigerian Afro-trap star Naira Marley brings a brash, colorful sound which has won him legions of fans, who dub themselves "Marlians." Despite a controversial image and numerous brushes with the law, he has become one of the biggest stars in the Nigerian Street Pop movement, and one of the most popular African artists in the U.K. From a young age, his ambition was to be a voice actor, but, while studying business law at college, he developed a passion for music and a love of singing.
His friends encouraged him to pursue a music career, and he made his debut on the 2013 track "Marry Juana," with Max Twigz, before releasing his debut EP Gotta Dance in 2014. His stage name is taken from that of the Nigerian unit of currency.
Read also: Naira Marley's Involvement
Breakthrough and Rise to Fame
Marley began spending time in Nigeria, and gained prominence there with the release of the single "Issa Goal," featuring Olamide and Lil Kesh, which became the theme song for the Super Eagles, the Nigerian national team, at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. His music, a blend of Afrobeats and hip-hop, which came to be known as "Afro-trap," was delivered in a mixture of English, Pidgin, and Yoruba.
In 2019, Marley released the controversial track "Am I a Yahoo Boy," which led to his arrest by the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on what he described as trumped-up charges. After a brief spell in prison, he released the single "Soapy," which led to a viral dance craze and won Viewers' Choice at the 2020 Soundcity MVP Awards.
The "Soapy" dance became a viral sensation.
Controversies and Legal Issues
On 10 May 2021, the EFCC arrested Marley and his friends Zlatan, Tiamiu Kayode, Adewunmi Adeyanju Moses, Micheal "Taqueesh" Adenuga, and Abubakar Musa. The arrest was made a day after Marley released the video for the controversial single "Am I A Yahoo Boy". Five days later, the EFCC released Zlatan and three others but kept Marley in custody due to the evidence against him. On 16 May 2019, the EFCC charged him with 11 counts of fraud before a federal high court in Ikoyi, Lagos.
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. In May 2019, Marley was arraigned and pleaded not guilty; a bail hearing was set for 30 May 2019. On the day of the bail hearing, Marley released "Why", a song that was accompanied by an image of him in handcuffs.
Read also: Current USD/NGN Value
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. On 5 October 2022, Marley was accused of assault by his signee MohBad in a series of statements on MohBad's social media.
Musical Style and Impact
Despite (or perhaps because of) criticism for his alleged criminality and coarse lyrical content, his music found a large and obsessive fan base among working-class Nigerians. His second EP, Lord of Lamba, was released later in 2019.
Discography
The following table summarizes Naira Marley's discography, including his EPs and notable singles:
| Title | Year | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gotta Dance | 2014 | EP | Debut EP |
| Lord of Lamba (LOL) | 2019 | EP | Second EP |
| God's Timing's The Best | 2022 | Album | Debut Album |
| Issa Goal | 2018 | Single | Featuring Olamide and Lil Kesh |
| Am I A Yahoo Boy | 2019 | Single | Featuring Zlatan |
| Soapy | 2019 | Single | Viral hit |
| Tesumole | 2019 | Single | Popular track |
Singles
- "Marry Juana" (2013)
- "Issa Goal" (2018)
- "Japa"
- "Am I a Yahoo Boy" (2019)
- "Opotoyi (Marlians)" (2019)
- "Ko Si Werey" (2019)
- "Soapy" (2019)
- "Tesumole"
- "As E Dey Go"
- "Idi Oremi (Opotoyi 2)"
- "Chi Chi"
- "Koleyewon"
- "Coming" (with Busiswa)
- "Drug Test"
- "First Time In America"
- "Pxy Drip"
His debut album, "God's Timing's The Best" was released in 2022.
Read also: Exchange Rate Analysis
Popular articles:
tags: #Naira
