This year has seen a lot of remarkable events and numerous additions to the music industry. But few can boast of having had the astronomical rise of the artist called Naira Marley.
He is not your typical singer and he doesn’t need your approval to do what he is good at. He just keeps on disappointing his critics by breaking boundaries and overcoming the hurdles thrown at him.
Ending the year in spectacular fashion, Naira Marley has released a 6-track EP he titled LOL (Lord of Lamba) with a cover that sees the dreadlocked musician rendered in 2D animation and sitting atop his throne with his majestic staff. Just behind him, his fans can be seen gyrating to his music. This is a perfect depiction of the journey of an artist that has continued to etch his name in the hearts of many in the country and with the way he is going, his tale will be the stuff of legends.
EFCC DRAMA
Perhaps no other artist has attracted controversy the way Naira Marley has. Just when it seems that his career is about to go down the drain, he makes a surprising come back with something bigger and better.
In May 2019, he was apprehended by the EFCC for allegedly showing support for the internet fraudsters popularly referred to as Yahoo Boys. Arraigned in court, Naira Marley pleaded not guilty to the charges brought up against him and currently the case has been adjourned to February 2020.
A DANCE FROWNED UPON
Though not a professional dancer, Naira Marley introduced the Soapy Dance, in which the dancer makes use of his or her lower body and with the arm makes suggestive movements.
It was a dance that many did not find appealing and they didn’t hesitate to voice their disapproval. Despite this, it was widely accepted by his fans who have since demonstrated their unflinching loyalty to the rising artist.
With Soapy Dance now adding to Naira Marley’s ever-increasing popularity and influence, there is little that his detractors can do as they can only watch him soar higher in the entertainment industry.
RISE OF THE MARLIANS
Part of the reason why Naira Marley has enjoyed prominence is the love shown to him by fans. Never has an artist been shown so much loyalty over a relatively short period of time.
As his fame grows so has the number of his followers who call themselves ‘Marlians’. The name clearly shows their affiliation with him and even in some of the remote areas of the country that one would not expect its inhabitants to have heard of him, they happily refer to themselves as Marlians.
The Marlians from time to time show appreciation to their favorite artiste in different situations; there have been cases of University graduates naming the artiste in their project, citing him as a source of inspiration in their academic journey. This is an example of just how much influence he wields.
MARLIAN FEST
The Marlian Fest is an upcoming event that will see the artiste perform before fans at Eko Hotels and Suites. Scheduled for December 30, 2019, it will be a gathering of Marlians to celebrate one of Nigeria’s fastest rising music stars.
Onstage, Naira Marley doesn’t disappoint as his energetic performance and ability to keep fans pumped up make him the genuine musician that he is. This is what awaits thrill seekers and music lovers at the show which promises to be an explosive encounter.
LOL (LORD OF LAMBA)
Naira Marley’s EP comprises of six songs, most of which are fast-paced with danceable rhythm.
Tesumola is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser with intoxicating instrumentals with the artist singing and rapping to the scintillating beat.
In the track Isheyen, Naira Marley’s singing features prominently and it is a welcome change though by now the listener must have noticed that most of the tracks have similar progressions.
Yan Yan Yan featuring DMW’s Mayorkun is unarguably the EP’s best track. It has a blend of Naira Marley’s hard-hitting lyrics with Mayorkun’s soothing flow.
It wouldn’t be so far from the truth to say that in some ways, it has been the year of the Marlians and we may not know what the future portends for Naira Marley but we do know that he will keep making music and that is more than enough for fans.
