By Aliyya Hussain
The sudden news of the death of Nigerian rapper and songwriter, Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad hit millions of his fans with unmetered shock on the 12th September 2023.
When the news first surfaced, many had assumed it was a false alarm floating across the social media and blogging platforms. Pulse Nigeria confirmed the news, claiming that the 27-year-old singer had died receiving treatment from a hospital where he had gone to address an ear infection he had been nursing. The authenticity of the report was further confirmed by a video of one of the musician’s friends wailing and showing his corpse in a car.
The singer infiltrated the Nigerian music industry in 2019 and has made hits such as “Feel Good”, “Peace”, “KPK”, “Ask About Me” and many more. He was described as exuberant, level-headed and a caregiver by many of his colleagues. Some equaled his death to that of late Nigerian rapper, Dagrin.
However, Nigerians kicked against the reported circumstances of his death and demanded a proper investigation from the Nigerian Police for the death of the promising star. This was tethered on the premonitions the star had laid out on his social media accounts about the threats on his life and attacks by his former boss, Azeez Fashola known as Naira Marley of Marlian Records World and an associated music promoter called Samson Balogun, known as Sam Larry. All fingers had then pointed to the record label for having a hand in the sudden demise of Mohbad.
Following this, several artistes have called out some Nigerian record labels vehemently on popular social media channels on their knavery and non-benevolence towards their signees.
MOHBAD AND MARLIAN RECORDS WORLD
In 2019, Mohbad joined Marlian Records World and subsequently released his debut EP, “Light,” featuring well-known artists like Davido, Naira Marley, and Lil Kesh.
However, in February 2022, the Ikorodu-born artist faced legal troubles when he, along with another prominent artiste, Zinoleesky, both signed to the same record label and three undisclosed individuals were arrested during an unexpected NDLEA raid at a residence in Iloba Estate, Lagos.
According to Daily Trust News, Femi Babafemi, the Director of Media and Advocacy, NDLEA had confirmed their arrest and admitted that the agency had gotten a hold of reliable information the artistes were in possession of drugs.
Shortly after, they were released and promised to work on the investigation with the agency. Not long after his release, Mohbad used his Instagram account to make a serious accusation against Naira Marley, stating, “If I die, na Marlian music and Naira Marley kill me.”
In the later months, Mohbad left the Records label and went on to establish his own record label called Imolenization in November 2022 where he released his recent songs. In both the videos recorded by the late artist before his unfortunate passing and those that emerged on the internet posthumously, he repeatedly voiced concerns about his former boss, Naira Marley, allegedly sending thugs armed with machetes to threaten him. He frequently expressed fear for his life, emphasizing the constant need to watch his back whenever he was in public.
The initial conflict that arose after his departure from Marlian Records stemmed from his public criticism of the label’s management. He alleged that they had physically assaulted him when he requested a new manager, particularly due to the lack of promotion for some of his songs.
He took to his social media accounts to share graphic images and photos of himself in a hospital, disputing Naira Marley’s claim that he was under the influence in those videos.
Shortly thereafter, in October 2022, he officially left the label. According to The Cable, he also accused the label of failing to fulfill their agreed-upon obligations, including the payment of royalties for his monetized intellectual content and advances, which had been mutually agreed upon since 2019. Unknown to the public, these threats and physical attacks persisted, and even more troubling videos emerged after his tragic passing.
In one such video, during a music video shoot with Omoniyi Temidayo, known as Zlatan Ibile, there was a disturbing incident. Sam Larry appeared with a group of thugs wielding machetes, seemingly directed at Mohbad. However, Zlatan Ibile quickly intervened and managed to deter them.
In June 2023, Mohbad took legal action by filing a petition in which he accused Sam Larry of physically assaulting him and disrupting a video shoot. During this incident, a group of men, who alleged they were associated with Oba Elegushi, also participated in the disruption.
Concerns have been raised by Mohbad’s relatives and friends, as well as the well-known artist Abiola Ahmed Akinbiyi, widely known as Bella Shmurda. They have expressed their distress over the singer’s unfortunate demise, emphasising his prolonged unhappiness. Currently, there are suspicions regarding the possible involvement of Naira Marley and his Marley crew in the singer’s passing.”
CALL OUT OF OTHER RECORD LABELS OVER THE YEARS
In recent years, the Nigerian Music Industry has witnessed a growing trend of emerging artists, affiliated with various record labels, publicly voicing their grievances against their managers and label executives.
Despite the positive image and camaraderie often portrayed in the media, there appears to be an underlying discord in the relationships between many record labels and their artists. This issue is not new and dates back to earlier days in Nigeria’s music industry.
Disputes related to contract breaches and royalties often serve as the primary catalyst for these conflicts. Notable artists who have faced such issues with their respective record labels include Runtown and Ericmany Entertainment, Vector and YSG, Wizkid and EME Records, May D and Label Square Records, Temmie Ovwasa and YBNL, Wande Coal and Mavins Records, and Cynthia Morgan, now known as Madrina, and Label Square Records.
Not long after Mohbad’s passing was confirmed, Temmie Ovwasa, a former artist signed to YBNL, shared her experiences on her Instagram story. She recounted the period when she served as an “errand girl” in Olamide Baddo’s household, highlighting that the YBNL boss had neglected to promote her music. She criticized the record label for its lack of structure and careless handling of her artistic career.
“I recorded over 25 songs and Pheelz opened his wide mouth to tell me he misplaced the hard drive. 25 songs!!!! I spent 5 years and released 4 songs! I have recorded and released 3 albums since I left these people…”
In the same vein, Akinmayokun Awodumila, known as May D, formerly signed to R&B duo P-Square’s record Label Square Records called out the team in January 2020 in an episode with Drinks with Killz.
He verified that he had been consistently producing successful hits, and everything had been running smoothly until he requested that they establish a proper structure. “I never got one show when I was with them, never got paid; I was only playing shows with them that they never paid me for. I didn’t take it as anything because I was enjoying myself, and I wasn’t smart enough to know. I was meant to; I can’t blame them; it’s business.” May D stated.
During the show, he also revealed that the label belittled him by informing him that the earnings from his shows couldn’t compare to theirs, which he affirmed to be true. On June 24, 2020, he subsequently shared a post on his Twitter account, @MisterMayD. “For your information, I was staying in their boys’ squatters with their driver and their cook, just one room, all of us shared a toilet and I had big songs and the other side of their twin duplex was empty! Now! I slept on brand new television carton used my shirt as cover”
An intriguing observation is that conflicts with their record labels often resulted in artistes facing the risk of blacklisting and struggling to maintain their relevance. While some artists saw a decline in their popularity, others managed to rise above and either found new homes in different record labels or established their own. Notable examples of the latter category include Wizkid, Kizz Daniel, Skates, the late Mohbad, and many more.
NIGERIANS CRY OUT FOR JUSTICE FOR MOHBAD
According to Sahara Reporters, a Change.org petition has garnered support from more than 210,000 individuals, urging for the suspension of Marlian Records World.
This call for action comes in the wake of the tragic passing of 27-year-old Mohbad. The Nigerian Police Force, Lagos Command, has also declared a comprehensive investigation into the musician’s demise and assured the public that, if necessary, they will go as far as exhuming his body for a thorough autopsy.
It is becoming increasingly evident that certain record labels view emerging talents not as essential assets for their success but rather as newcomers who can be taken advantage of and manipulated.
With the frequent disputes and separations between artists and their record labels, the Nigerian Music Industry seems to resemble a somewhat absurd labour pool that has left many artists questioning the benefits of being under any form of management.
However, it appears that Mohbad’s tragic passing may mark the start of new artists becoming more cautious when selecting the record labels they align with during the early stages of their careers.
OBAFEMI AWOLOWO HALL PRESS 
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