BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Legal Name
Azeez Adeshina Fashola
Date of Birth
10 May 1991 (age 29)
Place of Birth
Agege, Lagos State, Nigeria
Occupation
Singer, Songwriter
Genres
Afrobeats Hip hop
Instruments
Vocals
Years active
2014–present
Labels
Marlian Records
Associated Acts
Olamide Lil Kesh Zlatan Burna Boy Some4real Max Twigz
Azeez Adeshina Fashola was born on the 10th of May, 1991 and known professionally as Naira Marley, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. He is known as the president of his controversial fan base, “Marlians”.
Naira Marley was born in Agege, Lagos State, Nigeria. At the age of 11, he moved to Peckham, South London, England. Marley graduated with a distinction in business from Peckham Academy. He also studied business law at Crossways College (now Christ the King Sixth Form College)
On 10 May 2019, the EFCC arrested Naira Marley and his friends Zlatan, Tiamiu Kayode, Adewunmi Moses and Abubakar Musa. The arrest was made a day after he released the video for the controversial single “Am I A Yahoo Boy”. Five days later, the EFCC released Zlatan and three others but kept Marley in their custody due to overwhelming evidence against him. On 16 May 2019, the EFCC charged him with 11 counts of fraud before a Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos. On 19 May 2019, he released the single “4 Nights In Ekohtiebo” while still in prison. In it, he talks about his industry friends, foes and other people who have admired him. In May 2019, he was arraigned before the Federal High Court and pleaded “not guilty”; a bail hearing was set for 30 May 2019. On the day of the bail hearing, Naira Marley released “Why”, a song that was accompanied by an image of him in handcuffs. On 14 June 2019, he was released from jail fourteen days after being granted ₦2,000,000 bail. A few days later, he released “Soapy”, a track about the sexual habits of inmates in detention.
In October 2019, he returned to the Federal High Court to face his charges. His case was later adjourned to 27 February 2020 after an EFCC witness testified against him.
Naira Marley Also Arrested for Flouting Lockdown Order
He was detained by the Nigerian Police Force for contravening the lockdown order imposed on Lagos State by President Muhammadu Buhari to contain the spread of coronavirus in the country. On 13 June 2020, he performed at a concert in Abuja despite the interstate travel ban and social distancing rules aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19. He was arraigned by the FCT Administration before a mobile court in Abuja over the concert.
Naira Marley is married to two women and has four children.
MUSICAL CAREER
2014–2018: Career beginnings
While growing up, Naira Marley had plans of becoming an MC and a voice-over artist. He began singing in 2014 after discovering his passion for music and was encouraged by close-knit friends to pursue his music career. He released the Max Twigz-assisted track “Marry Juana” before releasing his debut EP Gotta Dance in 2015.
In December 2017, he released the Olamide and Lil Kesh-assisted single “Issa Goal”, which became the theme song for the Super Eagles at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The official remix of “Issa Goal” was released on 16 June 2018; it features vocals by Olamide, Lil Kesh, Falz, Simi and Slimcase.
Naira Marley sings in English, Pidgin and Yoruba; his music is a blend of Afrobeats and hip-hop. He derived his stage name from Jamaican singer Bob Marley, whom he admires; his dreadlocks is also a tribute to the singer.
2019–present: “Am I A Yahoo Boy”, “Soapy” and Lord of Lamba.
Naira Marley released the Zlatan-assisted track “Am I A Yahoo Boy” on 3 May 2019, and was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that same day. He released “Soapy” on 27 June 2019, a few days after he was released from prison. On 11 January 2020, he won Viewers’ Choice for “Soapy” at the 2020 Soundcity MVP Awards.
On 18 December 2019, Naira Marley released his second EP Lord of Lamba which was a mixture of Afrobeats and hip-hop. The EP comprises 6 tracks and features guest artists such as CBlvck, Young John and Mayorkun. Its production was handled by Killertunes, Rexxie and Studio Magic.
Marlian Records
During the “Marlian Fest”, which was held at the Eko Hotels and Suites on 30 December 2019, Naira Marley announced the launch of his record label Marlian Records and unveiled CBlvck, Zinoleesky, MohBad and Fabian Blu as signed acts.
On 10 July 2020, Naira Marley took to his Instagram Page to unveil another act under his label, named: Emo Grae with a new single and visual titled 0903 featuring Buju.
Lyta, a former signee of YBNL, Olamide’s record label, has joined Marlian Music, a brand owned by Azeez Fashola, a rapper-singer better known as Naira Marley.
EPs
Gotta Dance (2015)
Lord of Lamba (2019)
Singles
“Kosi Werey” ft Olamide (2016)
“Issa Goal” (2017)
“Japa” (2018)
“Am I A Yahoo Boy” (2019)
“Bad influence” (2019)
“Opotoyi (Marlians)” (2019)
“Why” (2019)
“Soapy” (2019)
“Pxta” (2019)
“Back2work” (2019)
“Mafo” (2019)
“Tesumole” (2019)
“Tingasa” (2019)
“Aye” (2020)
“Dido lobo”(2020)
“Mofoti” (2020)
“As E Dey Go” (2020)
“Chi Chi” (2020)
NOMINATIONS AND AWARD
2020 Soundcity MVP Awards for Viewers’ Choice “Soapy” Won
Song of the Year Nominated
Best Pop Himself Nominated
2019 City People Music Awards Artiste of the Year (Male) Nominated
Street Song of the Year “Soapy” Nominated.