The Nigerian music industry has seen a lot of prominent musicians rise in the last decade. They have all shown versatility, adaptability, and confidence. One musician comes to mind of all these highly talented musicians when street music is talked about; Naira Marley.
Just like Tems, Naira Marley is one of the most fast-rising music stars in the Nigerian Industry. Azeez Fashola, known by his stage name as Naira Markey, is a multi-talented musician. He writes his songs, records them, and performs them with so much enthusiasm. But that’s not all to this music prodigy. In this article, we would be talking about the president of the controversial fan base “Marlians”.
Naira Marley’s Background
It may be surprising to many, but Naira Marley studied at quality institutions, bagging several certificates. The “Soapy” singer was born in 1991 to his Nigerian parents in Agege, Lagos State. When he clocked 11, he relocated to South England, London to study at Porlock Hall. He later attended Walworth School, and this is where he got his General Certificate of Secondary Education.
After then, at Peckham Academy, he graduated with a distinction in Business. The singer also studied Business Law at Christ the King Sixth Form College. Marley currently has two wives and four children.
His Music Career
Naira Marley has had an illustrious music career, but he originally planned to be an MC and voice-over artist. The talented singer started developing a passion for music in 2014. Marley got many positive remarks and motivation from his close friends who gave him the push he needed to release his first song that same year. The following year, he released his debut EP titled “Gotta Dance”. The EP did pretty well, garnering a lot of positive commendations.
At the end of 2017, he released a song he made with Olamide and Lil Kesh called “Issa Goal”. As we all know, speakers all over the country were playing all through 2018. It also became the theme song for the Super Eagles competing at the FIFA 2018 World Cup.
His Fast rise to stardom began in 2019, when he released two singles “Am I a yahoo boy” and “Soapy”. Since then he has churned out two quality albums, He has also worked with several other big names in the industry, and is not planning on stopping anytime soon. At the 2020 Soundcity MVP Awards, he got the Viewer’s Choice Award for his song “Soapy”. His music has been so widely accepted by people that his fan base named themselves “Marlians” to show their love and support towards him.
Naira Marley’s Arrest
It is common knowledge that Naira Marley has gotten into some trouble with the Nigerian Police Force. On the same day he released his “Am I A Yahoo Boy” song, he was arrested alongside Zlatan (Omoniyi Temidayo Raphael) on suspicion of internet frauds and was charged to court on 11 count charges. If they were found guilty, they would spend a potential seven years in prison.
In a statement made by Marley’s management, they said “Naira Marley does not practice fraud, nor does he facilitate it. He is being used as a poster boy for fraud!”
Five days later, Zlatan was released, but the EFCC claimed to have firm evidence against Naira Marley. After a series of legal drama and evidence revealed by the EFCC, he was released from jail two weeks after, but not after paying a 2 million Naira fine. He then returned to the Federal High Court to face his charges. After an EFCC witness testified against him, his case was adjourned to 27 February 2020.
Life After His Arrest
Naira Marley continues to be one of the most famous musicians in the country, and arguably, Africa. In June 2020, the police arrested him for defying the lockdown order that the government imposed. He performed at a concert in Abuja, which pulled a large crowd. They later released him after he paid bail. Currently, Naira Marley is a highly influential musician in the country, and is also one of the richest. He is estimated to be worth around $1.2 million.