Naira Marley is one of the most influential and controversial artists in the Nigerian music industry. He is known for his catchy songs, unique style, and outspoken personality. He is also the leader of a fan base called Marlians, known for their rebellious and unconventional lifestyle. In this blog post, we will explore the biography of Naira Marley, from his early life and education to his music career and controversies.
Early life and education
Naira Marley was born on May 10, 1991, in Agege, Lagos State, Nigeria. He is the firstborn of four siblings, two brothers, and a sister. His sister, Mariam Fashola, is a model and Instagram star, while his brother, Babatunde Moshood, also known as Shuddy Funds, is an entertainer and a talent manager. His other brother is Idris or Marley Jr.
At the age of 11, Naira Marley moved to Peckham, South London, England, where he completed his high school education at Warworth School. He then joined Peckham Academy and graduated with a distinction in business. He also studied business law at Christ the King Sixth Form College in London.
Music career
Naira Marley dreamed of becoming an MC and a voice-over artist, but he discovered his passion for music in 2014 when he joined his friends in recording a song called Marry Juana. He then released his debut EP, Gotta Dance, in 2015, which featured songs like Hang Wit Me and Magic.
In 2017, he collaborated with Olamide and Lil Kesh on a song called Issa Goal, which became the theme song for the Nigerian national football team at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. He also released the song's remix, featuring Falz, Simi, and Slimcase.
Naira Marley sings in English, Pidgin, and Yoruba; his music is a blend of Afrobeats and hip-hop. He derived his stage name from the legendary Jamaican singer Bob Marley, whom he admires. He also sports dreadlocks as a tribute to the reggae icon.
In 2019, Naira Marley released one of his most popular and controversial songs, Am I A Yahoo Boy, featuring Zlatan Ibile. The song sparked a lot of debate and criticism, as it seemed to glorify internet fraud, also known as Yahoo Yahoo in Nigeria. The song also led to his arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on May 10, 2019, the same day he released the song.
He was later released on bail, and he dropped another hit song, Soapy, which also caused a lot of controversy, as it depicted a dance move that mimicked masturbation. The song won the Viewers' Choice award at the 2020 Soundcity MVP Awards.
In December 2019, Naira Marley released his second EP, Lord of Lamba, which featured songs like Tesumole, Mafo, and Tingasa. He also launched his own record label, Marlian Records, and signed four artists: CBlvck, Zinoleesky, Mohbad, and Fabian Blu. In 2020, he added another artist, Emo Grae, to his label.
In 2021, Naira Marley announced his upcoming album, God's Timing Is The Best and released a single, Coming, featuring Busiswa. He also suggested collaborating with international artists like Nicki Minaj and Megan Thee Stallion.
Controversies
Naira Marley is no stranger to controversies, as he often expresses his opinions on various social and political issues, sometimes provocatively and controversially. He is also known for his lifestyle and philosophy, which he calls Marlianism. He describes Marlians as people who are free-spirited, fearless, and loyal to him. He also encourages them to live by some rules, such as:
No belt, no manners
No snitching
No shaving
No education
Some of these rules have been criticized by many people, especially parents and educators, who fear they may negatively influence the youth. Naira Marley has also been accused of promoting immorality, violence, and drug abuse through his songs and social media posts.
Some of the controversies that Naira Marley has been involved in include:
His arrest by the EFCC for alleged involvement in internet fraud and cybercrime, along with Zlatan Ibile and three others, in May 2019. He was later released on bail, but his trial is still ongoing.
His clash with Simi, Ruggedman, and Tunde Ednut, who condemned his song, Am I A Yahoo Boy, and his support for internet fraudsters. He also called out Simi for allegedly snubbing him at an event and Ruggedman for being a hypocrite and a snitch.
The Lagos State Police Command arrested him for violating the COVID-19 lockdown regulations by performing at a concert in Abuja in June 2020. A mobile court in Lagos later fined him N100,000.
His feud with the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, who warned him not to hold a protest against police brutality and the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in October 2020. Naira Marley later canceled the rally, but he had an Instagram live session with the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Frank Mba, where he discussed the issues of police reform and youth empowerment.
His suspension by Twitter for violating its rules in January 2021. He had tweeted that he was a cow and that his followers should retweet if they were cows, too. Twitter suspended his account for impersonation, as it thought he was hacked.
The Lagos State Government banned him from performing at the New Afrika Shrine in February 2021. He was scheduled to perform at the Valentine's Day concert, but the government said it would not allow him to use the venue as it did not align with the COVID-19 protocols.
Net worth and personal life
Naira Marley is estimated to have a net worth of $1 million. He makes money from his music sales, streaming platforms, shows, endorsements, and record labels. He is also known for his love for luxury cars, such as a Bentley, a Mercedes-Benz, and a Range Rover.
Naira Marley is married and has four children, two boys and two girls. He keeps his family away from the public eye and rarely posts about them on social media. He once revealed that he had 20 girlfriends but was loyal to his wife.
Conclusion
Naira Marley is a talented and influential artist who has carved a niche for himself in the Nigerian music industry. He is also a controversial figure who has faced much criticism and backlash for his songs, opinions, and lifestyle.
However, his loyal fan base supports him and follows his Marian movement. He is undoubtedly one of Nigeria's most popular and successful artists today.
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