By Cynthia Johnson
“I still haven’t gotten the full gist. Still shocked at the sudden death. May he rest in peace, amen!,” a die-hard fan had written concerning the death of Afrobeat star Mohbad!
The Nigerian music industry and beyond has been thrown into a state of shock and mourning having lost one of its talented musicians.
Today, we recall the early life, rise to stardom and life struggles and possible cause of the death of Lagos-born Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, professionally known as Mohbad,
Born on June 8th, 1996, Mohbad’s journey in the music industry took a significant turn when he signed with Naira Marley‘s “Marlian Records.” During his time with the label, MohBad gained prominence for his hit singles, including “Ponmo,” “Feel Good,” and the chart-topping “KPK (Ko Por Ke)” with producer Rexxie. This viral hit was nominated three times for The Headies Awards in 2022, showcasing his undeniable talent.
Mohbad’s debut album, “Light EP,” released in the fourth quarter of 2020, showcased his musical prowess. The album followed the success of his viral track “Ponmo,” in which Naira Marley and Lil Kesh were featured. His talent earned him five nominations at The Beatz Awards 2021 and a place in Audiomack’s top 21 Afrobeat artists of 2021.
Also, his single “Peace,” produced by Rexxie in 2022, solidified his place in the industry, charting on TurnTable’s top 50 in 2021 and top 100 in 2022. Although he seemed to be having the best moments of his life, “even the brightest days could be darkened by an unseen tempest”
The year 2022 did not see the best of this great act. It began with his decision to part ways with “Marlian Records, to facing legal troubles, when the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested him, along with fellow artist Zinoleesky and four others, for possession of illegal substances, including MDMA and cannabis.
Viral videos also emerged on the dramatic raid by NDLEA operatives at their Lekki residence in Lagos, in which they were later released.
As for parting ways with Marlian Records, MohBad publicly accused Naira Marley, his former boss at Marlian Records, of domestic violence in October 2022, marking the end of his association with the label. He shared the footage himself, demanding a change of manager.
The possible cause of his tragic demise, has been attributed to complications stemming from a severe ear infection, a health issue that took a sudden and devastating turn, despite his efforts to seek medical help: he received an injection as part of his treatment at the hospital, in which he tragically did not regain consciousness, following an injection administered during his treatment, leaving fans and fellow artists in shock and sadness.
To this great talent, Mohbad, your legacy in the music world will endure, but your passing serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of life’s challenges.
