Azeez Adeshina Fashola (born 10 May 1991), known professionally as Naira Marley, is a Nigerian-British singer, songwriter, and rapper. His fans are fondly called Marlians. He is known as the president of his controversial fan base, “Marlians”.
Naira Marley performing in 2022
Early Life and Education
Naira Marley was born in Agege, Lagos State, Nigeria to Mr and Mrs Fashola. At the age of 11, Fashola moved to Peckham, South London, England. He attained his General Certificate of Secondary Education at Walworth School after he moved from Lagos to Peckham, England. He graduated with a distinction in business from Peckham Academy in 2010.
Musical Beginnings
While growing up, Fashola had plans of becoming an MC and a voice-over artist. He began singing in 2014 after discovering his passion for music after he was encouraged by his friends to pursue music. In 2014, he collaborated with his friends to record the track “Marry Juana,” marking his foray into the music scene. Marley sings in English, Pidgin and Yoruba; his musical style spans Afrobeats, Street pop and hip-hop.
Breakthrough and Rise to Fame
He had been in music for quite a while before he achieved fame in 2017. Naira Marley waded his way into the scene when he released a viral single, “Issa Goal”, in 2017. The song was eventually chosen as the country’s official World Cup anthem.
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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. The official remix of Issa Goal was released on 16 June 2018 and it features Olamide, Lil Kesh, Falz, Simi and Slimcase.
His breakthrough moment came with the song “Issa Goal,” which gained widespread recognition as Nigeria’s Super Eagles team adopted it as their anthem during the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. However, it was the track “Am I A Yahoo Boy,” featuring Zlatan Ibile, that catapulted him to even greater fame.
“Am I a Yahoo Boy” became a single which landed him in trouble, and a single which brought him more fame. The song was a smash hit single, but it didn’t earn Naira Marley the popularity that the rapper got after the release of “Am I a Yahoo Boy”.
On the 3rd of May, days before his birthday, Naira Marley released Am I A Yahoo Boy in response to the backlash he got for co-signing Yahoo (419 fraud). The track featured his close friend, Zlatan. A few days later, on his birthday (10th of May), he was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alongside Zlatan and two other people. This served as a blessing in disguise as he got to the ears of many due to the controversy.
Naira Marley and Zlatan
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As this went on, Naira Marley’s fan base, which is more commonly known as Marlians, had started to come together. While their beloved artist was being heavily scrutinized by the EFCC and the Nigerian government, Marlians were forming an alliance to show undying support to Naira Marley.
After so much back and forth, the artists and their teams were released. To celebrate his freedom from the hands of his oppressors, Naira Marley released another single, “Soapy”.
Naira Marley released Soapy when he was released and it met the fans he had made while he was in Jail. This began his rise to prominence. On 3rd may 2019, Naira Marley released the zlatan assisted track “am I a Yahoo boy”. He released soapy on June 27 2019, a few days after he was released from prison.
According to the music video, “Soapy” spotlighted his experience in prison, with Naira Marley in a prison-like environment, wearing prison uniform in the video. The song was accompanied with a dance style and in no time, both adults and children had begun to identify with the Marlian movement. It was as though Naira Marley had given the people a voice and we all lived vicariously through him.
Naira Marley continued that run with a string of hits including “Opotoyi”, “Puta”, “Mafo”.
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Legal Issues and Controversies
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.
Naira Marley won the Viewer’s Choice Award for his hit single “Soapy” at the Soundcity MVP Awards on 11th January 2020.
Marlian Records
Naira Marley announced the launch of his record label Marlian Records during his Marlian Fest concert on the 30th of December, 2019. His label became home to names like MOHBAD, Zinoleesky, Vusic amongst others. He unveiled CBlvck, Zinoleesky, MohBad, and Fabian Blu as signed acts. He has gone on to sign other acts like Emo Grae, Lyta.
Here is a list of some of the artists who have been signed to Marlian Records:
- CBlvck
- Zinoleesky
- MohBad
- Fabian Blu
- Emo Grae
- Lyta
Discography
Throughout his career, Naira Marley has released a plethora of songs that have resonated with audiences.
Some of his popular songs include:
- "Issa Goal"
- "Am I A Yahoo Boy"
- "Soapy"
- "Opotoyi"
- "Puta"
- "Mafo"
The Real Story of Naira Marley His Dark Past, Fame & Rise as an Afrobeat's Legend,Controversial Star
Personal Life
Naira Marley is rumoured to have two wives, though their identities are undisclosed. This is revealed in the file presented to the court while he was arraigned in court by EFCC. He is a father of four children: twin daughters named Aishat and Simiat, born in April 2015, and two sons, Farouk (Jojomarlian), born on 30 October 2015, and Fawaz, born on 7 April 2018.
Recent Allegations and Controversies
On Saturday 13 February 2021, a report surfaced online that the Marley Valentine's Concert in Cameroon had been canceled by Cameroon government authorities. On 5 October 2022, Marley was accused of assault by his signee MohBad in a series of statements on MohBad's social media. When the news of Mohbad’s death emerged, numerous individuals on social media pointed accusatory fingers at Naira Marley and his associates. Naira Marley has consistently refuted the allegations leveled against him, emphasizing that he harbored nothing but goodwill for the deceased, Mohbad.
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