OBITUARY: Mohbad, the ex-Marlian signee who struggled to find peace until death

The Nigerian entertainment industry has been thrown into a state of mourning over the death of Mohbad. The fast-rising singer passed away on Tuesday at the age of 27.

Born Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, Mohbad’s life exemplified talent, resilience, and authenticity. He was best known for hit singles like ‘Ponmo,’ ‘Feel Good’, and ‘KPK (Ko Por Ke)’ with Rexxie which was nominated three times for 2022 The Headies.

Mohbad joined Marlian Records, a music label owned by Naira Marley, in January 2020. He was signed alongside Zinoleesky, Cblack, and Fabian and quickly gained fame for his quick-witted lyrics and unique baritone songs.

He released songs like ‘Sorry’, ‘Marlian Anthem’ and ‘Ponmo’ during his two-year stint with Marlian Records. On both slow and fast rhythms, Mohbad delivered his lines with explosive vim, vitality, and vulgarity as the songs quickly became street anthems and club bangers.

But off the scene, the Ikorodu-born musician appeared to be constantly in a battle with unseen forces.

Aside from music, Mohbad was also in the news over a “drug-related” encounter with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and his rift with Marlian Records.

DRUG, NDLEA AND MOHBAD

In February 2022, the NDLEA arrested Mohbad and Zinoleesky after the agency raided their home in Lekki.

Femi Babafemi, a spokesperson of the NDLEA, confirmed that the two artistes were arrested after some quantities of Cannabis and Molly were recovered from their apartment and cars.

“Our men raided an area in Idado estate where Naira Marley’s boys stay. Some quantities of Cannabis and Molly were recovered from their apartment and car,” he told TheCable Lifestyle.

“Six persons were arrested in all. Two females and four males.”

A few days after their arrest, the two young musicians took to their social pages to denounce the use of drugs and surprisingly preached against drug abuse.

MOHBAD & MARLIAN RECORDS CRISIS

At first, it started like a stunt for promotion but when video evidence of physical assault surfaced online, the topsy-turvy situation between the singer and his label became a matter of public interest.

In October 2022, the singer shared footage of himself, pointing to a number of bloody bruises he sustained after he had gone to the management of the label to request a new manager.

In a series of tweets at the time, the singer had said that his life was at stake and threats were coming his way for requesting to work with another management.

“I am at the hospital for a CT Scan for head impact and chest X-ray as a result of the assault. I had the meeting clearheaded and without any drug influence too,” the singer had written at the time.

“I am not intoxicated but I’ve just been diagnosed as an emergency hypertensive patient. I’m not on drugs or drinks and my life is at stake. I am still getting threats.”

But Naira Marley, his label boss, denied the allegation and also argued that the singer was “high” on substance.

Mohbad would later terminate his contract with the label, citing alleged “violent physical attacks”, “threat to life” from Marley, and “non-fulfillment” of the terms of his contract as reasons for departing the record label.

But it appeared all was not well for Mohbad after he left Marlian Records. In January 2023, Bella Shmurda, another singer, revealed that Mohbad attempted to end his life due to the rift with Naira Marley.

“Mohbad is my bro, and before I spoke out, I had been in this thing. Though it was low-key. I saw what happened, even from the first time till this second time. I have always been in the loop of things, but at that point, someone had to speak for him,” he had said.

“At a point, Myself and Mohbad were in an apartment, and he said he wanted to jump from upstairs. You can’t just keep going under and these people are just forming there’s nothing happening. Something is happening, and it is going to the extreme.” 

Could the peace of mind Mohbad yearned for after leaving Marlian Records have evaded him?

Last month, the singer, during one of his media rounds for the promotion of his new EP ‘Blessed’, revealed that his former label was allegedly sabotaging his career, particularly access to gigs.

He said show promoters were not inviting him to gigs because his former label allegedly told them he was “mentally unstable”.

“Because I left the label, the label keeps telling show promoters that I am not really okay. That ‘he is going through a lot’ and the show promoters believed that,” he said.

Despite the reasonable fame enjoyed at the onset of Mohbad’s career, the latter days were filled with battles that sapped him till he became withered and cold in the hands of death. 

An outpouring of tributes has continued to flood social media platforms from Nigerians — including celebrities.