The Nigerian singer/songwriter, Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba popularly known as MohBad who was born on 8th June 1996, tragically passed away on 12th September 2023 at the young age of 27. Hailing from Lagos, Nigeria, MohBad was an artist in the Afrobeat and Nigerian pop scene. He made a name for himself as a rapper, singer, and songwriter. The artist started his musical journey in 2016 but gained recognition in 2019. The artist is survived by his wife, Omowunmi and son, Liam.
Mohbad was formerly signed under Marlian Record, owned by popular Nigerian street-hop artist, Naria Marley, but the artist left the label after 2 years in October 2022. After terminating his contract with Marlian Records due to a misunderstanding, MohBad accused Naira Marley of domestic violence and stated that his former boss ordered people to beat him up when he confronted Marley about his decision to employ a different manager to handle his music and business affairs. MohBad went forward to set up his record label known as Imolenization in November 2022.
The artist’s last live performance was at the D’General Bitters live event at Ikorodu Town Hall on Sunday.
While still signed under Marlian Records, the artist delivered amazing hit singles during the period. Among his hits included:
Ponmo: This is one of Mohbad’s hit tracks that captivated fans with its catchy beat and playful lyrics. The song is known for its Afrobeat and Afro-fusion influences, which are characteristic of many contemporary Nigerian music genres. The music featured Lil Kesh and Naria Marley. “Ponmo” is a feel-good track that revolves around themes commonly found in Afrobeat and Nigerian pop music. It primarily celebrates life’s pleasures, good times, and the joy of being in the moment. The lyrics are characterized by their simplicity and relatability, making it easy for listeners to connect with the song’s celebratory spirit. Mohbad’s energetic delivery and the infectious rhythm of the song contribute to its appeal. Upon its release, “Ponmo” gained popularity both in Nigeria and among Afrobeat enthusiasts worldwide. It resonated with fans who appreciated its upbeat tempo, danceable nature, and the overall positive vibe it exuded. The song’s success also led to collaborations and performances by Mohbad with other artists, contributing to his growing presence in the Nigerian music scene.
Feel Good: This single was another hit by the artist, with its catchy beats and amazing lyrics. The genre was both Afro-beats and Afro-fusion. The way MohBad was able to incorporate English, Pidgin and Yoruba languages into the music made it more outstanding. “Feel Good” depicted enjoyment, stress-free mood and celebration, the scenery was quite colourful.
Kor Po Ke (KPK): The track gained significant attention and became a viral hit in Nigeria and beyond. The music was produced by Rexxie. KPK is a lively and energetic song characterized by its catchy beat and repetitive lyrics. The term “Kor Po Ke” itself is Nigerian slang, and its meaning can vary depending on the context. In the song, it is used to describe someone who is attractive or captivating, often used in admiration. The lyrics of the song reflect themes commonly found in Nigerian pop music, celebrating youthful exuberance, freedom, and the enjoyment of life’s pleasures. It’s a feel-good track that encourages listeners to dance and have a good time. Mohbad’s delivery is characterized by his distinctive vocal style and playful lyrics, which resonate with fans and contribute to the song’s popularity. “Kor Po Ke” quickly became a sensation upon its release. It gained widespread recognition and became a favourite at parties, clubs, and social gatherings. The song’s catchy chorus and danceable rhythm made it a go-to track for those looking to have a good time. The music video for “Kor Po Ke” also contributed to its success, featuring vibrant visuals and choreography that added to the overall entertainment value of the song. The music solidified Mohbad’s position as a rising star in the Nigerian music scene. It showcased his ability to create songs that resonate with a broad audience, and it further expanded his fan base.
Light EP: This was MohBad debut/first album, which was released in the fourth quarter of 202o. The EP is an eight-song track which features Davido, Naria Marley and Lil Kesh. Naria Marley served as the executive producer for the album while SB, Rexxie, P.Beat and Austin Sinister were the producers.
However, MohBad’s other songs included Backside, Tiff, Peace, Weekend, Hallelujah, Ronaldo, Ask About Me, Adura feat. Bella Shmurda, Pariwo feat. Bella Shmurda, Account Balance feat. Zlatan, Blessing, Sabi, Omo mi, Beast & Peace and La Pio Pio.
NOMINATIONS
Mohbad has been nominated five times for the Beatz Award in 2021, and his song “Kor Po Ke” featuring Rexxie, was nominated three times for the Headies Award in 2022. However, the artist hasn’t received any notable music awards.
SPECULATIONS ABOUT THE MOHBAD’S DEATH
According to a source within MohBad’s team, the talented artist’s tragic demise was attributed to an infection that took a fatal turn following the administration of an injection. This shocking revelation has sparked a trending discussion within the online community, particularly on platforms like Instagram and X.
What makes this situation even more complex is the blame some fans have placed on Naira Marley, the owner of Marlian Records, under which MohBad was formerly signed. The controversy traces back to events in October 2022 when MohBad severed ties with the label. At that time, he made serious allegations against Naira Marley, accusing him of physical assault.
Mohbad stated that he was subjected to physical violence which was orchestrated by his former boss after he had made clear his intention to get a different manager to oversee his music and business affairs. This revelation has created mixed and divided opinions among fans, leading to heated discussions and debates on social media.
While some believe that the circumstances surrounding MohBad’s departure from Marlian Records and his allegations against Naira Marley may have contributed to his unfortunate demise, others are calling for a thorough investigation to ascertain the true cause of his death. As fans deal with the loss of a creative artist and the unanswered questions surrounding his passing, the situation is still complicated and emotions are running high.
Here are some of the comments below.
Mohbad wasn’t publicly supported when he was assaulted by Naira Marley crew, even after being hospitalized the industry elites kept silent; Only Bella Shmurda boldly stood by him. All of a sudden everyone is posting condolence messages & acting like they care. The same so-called…
Quincy Jones, a legendary music producer renowned for his collaborations with iconic artists, passed away on November 4, 2024, at the age of 91.
His publicist, Arnold Robinson, confirmed the news. Jones’ family released a heartfelt statement, expressing their grief and celebrating his extraordinary life and enduring legacy.
They said,
“Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing. And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him.”
They added, “We take comfort and immense pride in knowing that the love and joy, that were the essence of his being, was shared with the world through all that he created. Through his music and his boundless love, Quincy Jones’s heart will beat for eternity.”
Born in Chicago in 1933, Quincy Jones’s lineage was a complex tapestry of history. His mother descended from slave owners, while his father, half-white, was the son of a Welsh slave master and one of his enslaved women.
Jones’s early exposure to music began at home, where his mother’s singing and a neighbour’s piano ignited his passion. At the tender age of seven, he started learning to play the piano.
Following his parents’ divorce, Jones and his father moved to Washington State. There, he joined his high school band, mastering the drums and various brass instruments.
His musical journey took a significant turn at the age of 14 when he began performing in Seattle bars. A remarkable moment arrived in 1948 when he backed Billie Holiday, sharing the stage with a young Ray Charles.
After a brief stint at Seattle University studying music, Jones ventured to Boston to complete his education. His illustrious career, spanning over seven decades, was marked by groundbreaking collaborations with legendary artists.
He worked alongside Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, and many others. Indeed, one of his most iconic achievements was producing Michael Jackson’s historic album, “Thriller.”
The tragic death of his younger sister, Chioma, and her husband, George, in a gas explosion at their home devastated Nigerian Afrobeats artist Patoranking.
The Ebonyi Police Command has confirmed that a gas cylinder explosion, not an inverter battery, caused the deaths of Mr. and Mrs. George Onuabuchi. This happened in Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi State. According to DSP Joshua Ukandu, the state Command’s spokesperson, the tragic incident took place on August 25.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday, Ukandu explained the preliminary investigations. He revealed a gas leak triggered the explosion, leading to the couple’s deaths. Also, he emphasized that early reports suggesting an inverter battery malfunction were incorrect. Further, the gas cylinder was identified as the actual cause of the fatal blast.
“It happened on the waterworks axis in Abakaliki on August 25. The residents living around the scene called the attention of our personnel who visited the place but the couple has already been taken to hospital.
“It’s very unfortunate that both finally died. The wife, Chioma died sometime in August while the husband died this month, September.
“We gathered that the wife was a younger sister to the popular Nigerian Afrobeat singer, Patoranking.
“There are no much details because the victims could not survive to tell the story. So, what killed them was gas and not inverter explosion,” the police spokesman explained.
A relative, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed concern about the incident to NAN. However, he described it as a distressing event that has had a negative impact on the family.
“They were young couple. They had only a child, a three-year-old son.
“Please I have more to say. I cannot say more than this. They have gone,” the relative said.
A Coroner’s Court in Ikorodu, Lagos State, has issued a stern warning to key witnesses. These key witnesses have repeatedly failed to attend the ongoing inquest into the tragic death of popular singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, better known by his stage name, Mohbad.
Magistrate T. A. Sotobi made a decision. He granted permission to Joseph Aloba, Mohbad’s father. Aloba can now serve a witness summons through the use of a national newspaper and social media platforms.
Several individuals have been summoned to testify. These include Azeez Fashola, known as Naira Marley. Samson Eletu, also called Sam Larry, is on the list. Karimot Ogunbayo, Mohbad’s sister-in-law, must appear. Oluwasanmi Falade, the late singer’s lawyer, is also summoned.
The court also wants to hear from Feyisayo Ogedengbe. She’s the nurse who treated Mohbad on his final day. Fidelis Esanbor, Mohbad’s driver, rounds out the list of summoned witnesses.
On Wednesday, Taiwo Odumosu, the legal representative of the Aloba family, informed reporters that only Mohbad’s associate, Boluwatife Adeyemo (aka Darosha), was present among the key witnesses. Odumosu expressed disappointment at the absence of the other individuals. He revealed that the magistrate is considering issuing subpoenas if they continue to evade the next hearing, set for September 30.
The family of Mohbad has voiced their deep frustration with the police investigation into his death.
In a statement signed by Emmanuel Oroko of Hilceetee Partner, Odumosu criticized the police for relying solely on witness accounts instead of conducting a thorough investigation.
Odumosu addressed Darosha’s involvement. He clarified the situation regarding Mohbad’s embalmment. The lawyer stated that no charges have been filed against Darosha. The family’s legal team remains vigilant in monitoring the case closely. The lawyers have set a clear goal. They aim to secure justice for Mohbad.
“We petitioned the Inspector General of Police and the Police Service Commission (PSC) to remove the officers handling the case due to their mishandling of the investigation,” he said.
Odumosu took action and called on the Police Service Commission (PSC). He targeted specific officers who had initially handled Mohbad’s death investigation. Odumosu demanded scrutiny of their work. He accused these officers of gross negligence, claiming that they failed to carry out their duties diligently and thoroughly.