Nigerian music executive and singer Azeez Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley, has finally opened up about his relationship with the late singer Mohbad, shedding light on the late artist’s challenges with substance abuse. Speaking in a recently released video, Marley disclosed that Mohbad was introduced to a hard drug commonly referred to as “Ice” by some of his acquaintances.
“I advised Mohbad against taking such substances,” Naira Marley revealed. “He later apologised and explained that the stress he faced pushed him towards those choices.” This confession comes after months of public speculation and intense debate following Mohbad’s sudden death in September 2023, a tragedy that deeply shook Nigeria’s music community.
Despite a Lagos State coroner clearing Marley and his close associate of any direct involvement in Mohbad’s passing, questions and emotions remain unresolved among fans and the public. Marley’s statement has reignited conversations across social media platforms, drawing a wide spectrum of reactions.
While some fans empathised with Naira Marley’s efforts to support Mohbad, others accused Marley and his circle of mistreatment. One social media user wrote, “Naira, you’re the king of drugs in your label… But did you bully or threaten Mohbad? Did you frustrate his shows? There are confirmed reports that say so.” Conversely, others urged for understanding and highlighted the pressures artists face. “Ice or cocaine only destroys lives. I know because I was lost when I took coke. It took real courage to leave it behind,” commented another follower.
The late Mohbad’s death has sparked national reflection on the pressures within the Nigerian music industry and the toll of substance use among artists under relentless stress.
Naira Marley’s latest video and candid revelations mark a significant moment in addressing these complex issues, balancing personal accountability with empathy for the struggles faced by musicians behind the scenes.
