Naira Marley Finally Speaks On Mohbad’s Death: ‘I Thought It Was A Lie And A Strategy To Blow Again’

In a revelation that has left many Nigerians reeling with shock and fresh waves of controversy, Nigerian singer and Marlian Music boss, Naira Marley, has finally opened up about the tragic death of his former signee, Mohbad. Months after the music industry and fans around the world were thrown into mourning following the sudden and painful demise of the talented young artist, Naira Marley has broken his silence in a way that is already sparking heated debates and mixed emotions among Nigerians. In his words, he recalled the exact moment he first heard of Mohbad’s passing, and his initial reaction has become the major talking point on social media. According to the Marlian Music chief, he was outside Nigeria when he got the devastating news. He explained that he was eating in a restaurant abroad when his phone buzzed with the information that Mohbad had died. Shocked and confused, Naira Marley admitted that he couldn’t process it immediately. He revealed that his very first thought was that it had to be false news or a publicity stunt. “When I first heard it, I said it was a lie,” he said. “I thought maybe he wanted to blow again or something. I didn’t believe it at all.”

The singer’s statement captures the disbelief and confusion that followed the early reports of Mohbad’s passing, which many fans and colleagues also initially dismissed as fake news. For someone so young, vibrant, and on the rise in his career, the announcement of Mohbad’s death felt unbelievable to many, and Naira Marley has now admitted that he too struggled to accept it as reality. He explained that sitting in that restaurant, he couldn’t reconcile the shocking news with the memories he had of Mohbad, a young man filled with dreams, energy, and music that was just beginning to find its global audience.

But beyond the shock, his reaction has raised eyebrows among Nigerians, particularly because of his choice of words that he thought it was a strategy by Mohbad “to blow again.” Many are questioning the weight of those words and what they imply about how Mohbad’s struggles were perceived by those closest to him in the industry. Critics have argued that it reflects a dismissive attitude towards the late singer’s pains and challenges, which were often highlighted in his songs and interviews. Others, however, defend Naira Marley by saying his comments were simply a raw and honest expression of disbelief rather than a deliberate attempt to undermine Mohbad’s legacy.

Mohbad, born Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, was only 27 years old when he tragically passed away in September 2023, leaving behind a grieving family, a young child, and millions of heartbroken fans. His death was surrounded by controversies, with widespread allegations of bullying, intimidation, and unresolved disputes within the industry, some of which linked back to his strained relationship with Marlian Music. As the police and other investigative bodies looked into the circumstances surrounding his passing, fingers were repeatedly pointed at individuals connected to his past affiliations, and Naira Marley himself was not left out of public scrutiny. His silence throughout that period fueled further suspicion, with many demanding to hear his side of the story. Now, months later, his admission of how he reacted to the news has reopened conversations around Mohbad’s death and the tense dynamics of the Nigerian music industry.

The revelation has also reignited the painful memories of fans who recall how Mohbad, during his lifetime, was vocal about feeling threatened and harassed. His music often carried undertones of pain, struggle, and a yearning for freedom, which many believe were reflections of his reality. It is this context that makes Naira Marley’s initial disbelief so sensitive to Nigerians who still feel the wound of losing one of the brightest stars of his generation. Social media, as expected, has been set ablaze with reactions since Naira Marley’s statement surfaced. On Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, fans are expressing mixed feelings. While some argue that it is normal to be in denial when faced with such devastating news, others insist that his words are careless and insensitive to the memory of Mohbad and the grief of those left behind.

For many, Mohbad’s death remains a symbol of the struggles faced by young Nigerian artists trying to navigate the complexities of fame, industry politics, and personal battles. His songs, which gained even more popularity after his passing, continue to resonate deeply with fans who see him as a voice of their generation. That is why every new development related to his name sparks strong emotions. Naira Marley, on the other hand, has continued to battle public opinion, with his reputation significantly affected by the events following Mohbad’s passing. Despite his attempts to clear his name and assert his innocence in the controversies, a section of the Nigerian public has remained critical of him, holding on to suspicions that may never completely fade. His latest admission, though honest in its rawness, might add another layer to the already complex narrative.

Observers have noted that the choice of words, especially the suggestion that Mohbad may have faked his death “to blow again,” comes across as a misunderstanding of the depth of the tragedy. To some, it seems like an unfortunate slip that reveals a lingering inability to fully grasp the weight of the loss. Yet others say it is simply human — the first stage of grief is often denial, and in that moment, Naira Marley was just another person struggling to accept a devastating reality. Still, in the court of public opinion, every word matters, and the singer now faces another wave of criticism.

As the Nigerian music scene continues to thrive with new talents rising daily, the absence of Mohbad is still deeply felt. His songs are still played on repeat, his videos trend across platforms, and his name often appears in conversations about what the future of Afrobeats could have been. The grief of losing him remains fresh, and every mention of his name, especially by those connected to him, carries heavy emotions. For Naira Marley, this latest revelation will likely keep him in the public spotlight for a while longer, as Nigerians dissect his words and attempt to make sense of what he truly meant.

The story of Mohbad is one that will not be forgotten in a hurry. His death, painful as it is, has left behind lessons, questions, and a legacy that continues to shine. For Naira Marley, his acknowledgment of how he processed the news adds yet another chapter to an already complicated story. Whether Nigerians will interpret his words as a moment of human weakness or as further evidence of insensitivity remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the conversation around Mohbad’s death is far from over.

In the end, Naira Marley’s account of where he was and what he thought when he first heard about Mohbad’s death paints a picture of shock, denial, and disbelief. But for Nigerians, still healing from the loss of a star who was just coming into his prime, it is a reminder of how deeply Mohbad’s passing shook the nation and how much it continues to echo in the hearts of fans everywhere.