Nowadays, it’s difficult to be signed by a record label, and many young musicians fail because no one will help them develop and support their musical careers.
Thankfully, Naira Marley, the CEO of Marlian Music, has made it possible for budding artists to sign with his record label.
But with the recent controversy surrounding the passing of Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, popularly known as MohBad, one of its former artists, the status of the record company is still unknown as accusatory fingers were pointed at Naira Marley, among others.
The explanations are plausible. Prior to his abrupt exit from Marlian Records in 2022, MohBad was previously signed to Naira Marley’s label.
Artists Signed to Marlian Music Record Label
Below are artists currently signed to Marlian Records:
- 1. Naira Marley
- 2. Zinoleesky
- 3. Lyta
- 4. Emo Grae
- 5. CBlack
- 6. Fabian Blu
- 7. Tori Keeche
- 8. Vusic
- 9. Mohbad
1. Naira Marley
Azeez Adeshina Fashola, known professionally as Naira Marley, is the founder of the Marlian Records label. He doubles as the CEO and artist in Marlian Records. He announced the founding of the record label on December 30, 2019, during his Marlian Fest concert at Eko Hotel and Suite, Lagos State.
On the same night of the event, he announced the signing of four artists – Zinoleesky, Cblack, Mohbad, and Fabian Blu.
2. Zinoleesky
Oniyide Azeez, popularly known as Zinoleesky, was one of the four artists who first signed with Marlian Music in December 2019. He is also the fastest-rising artist in the label at the moment. Zinoleesky, 27, grew in popularity after he released smash hit songs such as ‘Mapariwo’, ‘Kilofeshe’, ‘Naira Marley’, and ‘Gone Far’.
In one of his interviews, he revealed that Naira Marley himself offered him to join Marlian Music, and he accepted the offer ‘immediately’. Since then, he has contributed to the fame and wealth of the label.
However, as a result of the death of his former colleague Mohbad, and the controversies surrounding his death, Zino has decided not to associate with the Marlian Record by removing the label’s name from his social media handles.
3. Lyta
Babatunde Rahim, popularly known as Lyta, is a Nigerian singer who signed with Marlian Records in 2020 after he left YBNL (Rapper Olamide’s record label) in 2018 under controversial circumstances. He released the 5-track debut EP Id in 2019.
He joined Doro Musik Gang after leaving YBNL and dropped the Killertunes-produced song “Monalisa” on July 12, 2019. Within a month of its debut, Director K’s “Monalisa” music video had received over 500,000 views.
A few weeks after “Monalisa” was released, Davido contacted Lyta to inquire about making an official remix with him. As agreed upon, Lyta and Davido took a flight to Dakar for the remix and video shoot.
In 2020, Lyta was signed to Marlian Records owned by Naira Marley. He also released his first single under the label titled “Hold me Down(Omo Gidi)”. The video to “Hold Me Down”, which was inspired by Kpop Korean boy band GOT7 and BTS, was directed by TG Omori.Â
4. Emo Grae
EMO Grae is a fast-rising Nigerian musician born on 1st March. He was born Opeyemi Micheal Edebie and grew up in Ojudu, Lagos as he attended Isolo College, Lagos. He came into the limelight after Naira Marley signed him into the Marlian’s record label.
Emo released a single, 0903 after he joined the likes of Zinoleesky, Mohbad, Fabian Blu, and CBlvck in the Marlian’s label.
EMO Grae has to name other singles such as Selense, Need You, Lagos Girls, Collect, but he is popularly known for the 0903 single which featured Boju.
5. CBlack
CBlack, whose real name is Olamilekan Kazeem Kudus, was signed to Marlian Music the same night with Zinoleesky, in December 2019. He featured on ‘Tingasa’ off Naira Marley’s Lamba EP. Still signed to Marlian Music, CBlack has released songs such as ‘Belinda’, ‘Opor Yeh’, and ‘Shade’.
In November 2022, Mohbad name-dropped him, alongside Zinoleesky and Naira Marley, in his diss track for Marlian Records.
6. Fabian Blu
Inim Fabian, also known as Fabian Blu, hails from Akwa Ibom State. He was among the four members that got signed to Marlian Music in 2019. Some months after his signing, Fabian Blu, 25, called out Marlian Music on social media for not promoting him as much as they were promoting his label mate Zinoleesky.
Whether he exited the label or not is unknown to the public because neither Fabian nor Marlian Music confirmed any contract termination. ‘Sisi Nene’ remains Fabian’s most popular song till date.
7. Tori Keeche
On August 23, 2020, Tori Keeche was announced as the first female artist signed to Marlian Music. Shortly after being unveiled, her first official single titled ‘Yoga’, featuring Naira Marley, was released.
However, in another development, Nollywood actress turned politician, Tonto Dikeh has revealed how Tori Keeche, a signee of the Marlian Records Label had sort help from her after the singer opened up to her on how she was gang raped by Naira Marley and the gang.
Tonto Dikeh revelation is coming hours after Tori Keeche shared on her Instagram story how she overheard Naira Marley and the team planning to execute Mohbad during his concert on Sunday, September 10.
According to the movie star, Keeche reached out to her and her foundation to help her after she got ganged raped by Naira Marley and his team.
According to her, she left the record label when she heard Naira Malry and the team planning the execution of Mohbad on Sunday during his concert at Ikorodu.
8. Vusic
Igwe Victor Nnaemeka (born August 8, 2002) is a young talented Nigerian singer-songwriter known professionally as Vusic. He has recently achieved stardom in the music industry after he was announced to be joining the Marlian’s Record label on June 2023.
This was a significant achievement for Vusic, as it allowed him to join the ranks of other talented artists like Zinoleesky, who were also part of the Marlian Records.
9. Mohbad
Before his death, Mohbad left Marlian Records. The artiste accused the record label of refusing to pay him his royalties from monetized intellectual content and advances as mutually agreed since 2019. Here is everything to know about their dispute and why he left the label.
READ MORE: Why Mohbad left Marlian Records – Everything to know
FAQ About Marlian Records
1. What Is Marlian Records?
Marlian Records is a Nigerian record label owned by popular Nigerian street-hop artist Naira Marley. It was established in December 2019 and, over the years, has grown to become a home to several other artists.
Since its founding, Marlian Records, also known as Marlian Music, has continued to sign artists and some members have left the label. Former members of the label include Lyta and Mohbad, who left the label recently.
