…fans share why they like Naira Marley, songs
Afeez Fashola, fondly called Naira Marley has remained a household name in the Nigeria entertainment industry with huge followers and die-hard fans.
It is no longer news that many youths like Naira Marley and his songs to a fault.
The love for Naira Marley and his songs among Nigeria youths continue to soar amid his criminal trial by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission.
The anti-graft agency had arrested and arraigned Naira Marley in court after the soapy crooner released a song in 2019 titled ‘Am I a yahoo boy’.
Our reporter recently engaged some youths to talk about why they like Naira Marley amid his vulgarism and below are what they said:
“Naira Marley is raw; he is the voice of the people on the street and he speaks the mind of the people,” Oluwole Francis, Lagos.
“The ‘Am I a Yahoo Boy’ crooner’ is well accepted because of his beat, his songs and he does not give a shit about the things he does for example he smokes his marijuana openly.” Kelechi Chukwuma, Lagos.
“Most people like his songs because they also smoke like him, some of them are into internet fraud … They see him as their role model so, they emulate him automatically. He does not need to tell them what to do, but the fact remains that as long as he is their role model, they will do what he is doing,” Gbenga Samuel, Abeokuta.
“His songs are danceable, it has explicit content, people just genuinely like bad things, most of the people that likes his songs are young. He sings about drugs, naked girls and all that, people just naturally get attracted to stuff like that,” Tunde Akande, Lagos.
“People like his pattern of music, because it’s unique and he relates with the street well,” Oluwajona Olaoluwa, Ilorin.
“Everybody is depressed in this country so his songs light up our mood,” Akiode Oluwakemi, Ilorin.
“Most youths of this generation seek validation of whatever thing they are into such as smoking, internet fraud etc, they see Naira Marley as their messiah. Naira Marley’s songs also give them validation to misbehave. He is a blunt person and has influence on the youths”, Okoro Benjamin C., Ilorin.
“To my little knowledge Naira Marley came at the time when Nigerians need to catch cruise, just to vibe on a different level, everybody can relate to his sounds, beat. He speaks what people have in their mind,” Olalekan Abdulkadir, Lagos.
“Most of his songs are always talking about what is happening and trending,” Layomie, Minna.
Naira Marley started his music career in 2014, he is a songwriter and a singer. In 2017, he sang a song titled ‘Issa Goal’ and the song became the theme song for the Nigerian National Team at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
The Tesumola crooner released another song “Soapy” on 27 June 2019, a few days after he was released from prison.
Naira Marley also won Viewers’ Choice for “Soapy” at the 2020 SoundCity MVP Awards.
There are claims that Naira Marley, like his fans, are not serious minded.
But it may be wrong to say that Naira Marley is not serious minded with a record showing him as a graduate with a Distinction.
Facts about Naira Marley:
He was born in Agege, Lagos State, Nigeria.
Naira relocated to Peckham, South London, England, at the age of 11, He started his education at Porlock Hall, before moving to Walworth School where he obtained his General Certificate of Secondary Education.
He went to Peckham Academy where he graduated with a distinction in business.
He furthered his studies at Crossways College, now Christ the King Sixth Form College, where he completed his business law.
His nickname “Naira Marley” was influenced by his love for the late Jamaican singer, Bob Marley, while his dreadlocks is a tribute to Bob Marley.
Naira Marley has two wives, and four children.