Music executive Naira Marley has broken his silence in a recent YouTube interview on Tuesday, discussing his complicated relationship with the late singer Mohbad.
The interview, which came almost two years after Mohbad’s tragic death, has garnered significant attention in Nigeria’s entertainment industry.
Naira Marley addressed several topics, including Mohbad’s entry into Marlian Music, contractual disputes, personal struggles, and controversies surrounding their relationship.
He denied allegations of bullying and claimed he had no role in Mohbad’s death.
Here are the 16 key things Naira Marley said about his relationship with the late Mohbad in a new interview:
1. Early Signing and Ambition: Naira Marley signed Mohbad to Marlian Music in December 2019, alongside other rising acts like Zinoleesky. He described Mohbad as “hungry and passionate” about his music career, with ambitions to dominate charts and win awards quickly.
2. A “Very Easy” Contract: Mohbad’s contract had a 50/50 revenue split, with the label covering production, promotion, and welfare costs. Naira Marley insisted the contract was fair compared to industry norms.
3. Financial Transparency: Naira Marley denied financial exploitation, claiming Mohbad had full access to records of earnings from streaming platforms, shows, and endorsements.
4. First concerns about drug use: Naira Marley said he noticed signs of Mohbad’s alleged drug use in June 2020 and confronted him about the risks. Mohbad apologised and promised to quit.
5. Mohbad’s Apology and Explanation: After being confronted, he said Mohbad explained that his drug use was a coping mechanism for stress and promised to quit.
6. A Lexus Gift: He said Mohbad purchased a Lexus vehicle for himself in November 2021, marking a significant milestone in his career. Naira Marley clarified that the car was not a gift from him but Mohbad’s own purchase.
7. The NDLEA Incident: Naira Marley recalled the shock of hearing about Mohbad’s arrest by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in February 2022. He cut his trip short and flew back to Nigeria to stand by Mohbad and arrange legal help.
8. Medical Bills and Support: Naira Marley claimed he paid for hospital bills, CT scans, and prescribed medication to aid Mohbad’s recovery, emphasising his emotional investment in Mohbad’s well-being.
9. Suicide Attempt Intervention: Naira Marley shared a troubling account from March 2022, when Mohbad attempted suicide. He claimed he persuaded Mohbad not to harm himself, urging him to focus on music.
10. Involving Mohbad’s Parents: Naira Marley said he ensured Mohbad’s parents were aware of his struggles, believing their involvement was crucial for Mohbad’s mental stability.
11. Payments to Mohbad’s Mother-in-Law’s Account: Naira Marley revealed Mohbad often asked him to send money to his mother-in-law’s account instead of his own, which left him puzzled.
12. Managerial Dispute with Tunde: According to him, a disagreement between Mohbad and his manager, Tunde, turned physical, with Naira Marley intervening to separate them.
13. “Escape Plan” Allegation: Naira Marley suggested Mohbad may have staged or exaggerated the conflict as part of a strategy to terminate his contract.
14. Contract Termination and DSP Money: Mohbad terminated his contract with Marlian Music in October 2022. Naira Marley alleged Mohbad withdrew $72,000 from a DSP account, claiming the funds weren’t entirely Mohbad’s.
15. Last Meeting and an Unanswered Apology: Naira Marley stated the last time he physically saw Mohbad was October 4, 2022. He revealed Mohbad later expressed interest in apologising before his death, but he avoided reconciliation.
16. Reaction to Mohbad’s Death and Public Accusations: Naira Marley said he heard about Mohbad’s death while in Amsterdam, initially thinking it was a publicity stunt. He emphasised his cooperation with police investigations and readiness to release Mohbad’s royalties to his rightful beneficiaries.
