The Nigerian music industry has long been shrouded in controversy, with whispers of hidden cabals and the need for artists to “belong” to succeed. Accusations have flown that some so-called record labels are little more than criminal organizations, using their music fronts to mask activities such as internet fraud and drug trafficking. Those who dare to speak out or try to leave these groups often face harassment, assault, and professional blacklisting, making it nearly impossible to find success elsewhere.
In recent times, all fingers seem to point at Naira Marley, the late Mohbad’s former record label boss, and Sam Larry, a figure one might dub as a “consultant” within the Marlian music group. A series of videos surfaced showing Sam Larry and his associates attacking Mohbad. The most recent incident depicted Sam Larry and a group of individuals confronting Mohbad with machetes at the location where he was shooting a music video with Zlatan Ibile.
Additional footage showed Naira Marley himself assaulting and physically harming Mohbad. The late artist had repeatedly sought help from the police, filing multiple petitions to the Nigerian police force to protect his life. In his most recent complaint, filed with the Lagos state police command in June, Mohbad detailed the assaults by Sam Larry and his crew during the video shoot, which resulted in the destruction of equipment worth millions of naira.
Shockingly, the police did not take action or summon Sam Larry or Naira Marley for questioning, even though Mohbad’s life was clearly in danger. Instead, Naira Marley was appointed as an ambassador for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
While there is no definitive evidence linking a specific cause to Mohbad’s tragic death, those who were close to him have consistently pointed to the relentless ordeals he endured at the hands of Naira Marley and Sam Larry as a significant factor in his untimely demise. Numerous sources, including the late artist’s close friends, have echoed this sentiment.
It is imperative that the police take immediate action to launch a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragic loss of this talented young individual. Additionally, they should diligently work to unveil the hidden aspects of the Nigerian music industry.
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