His story opened with a talent discovered and closed with the talent destroy
Between the prologue and the epilogue, a life of genius, glory, and pain unfolded. With the final chapter ending in his death on September 12, 2023, is the story of Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, also known as Mohbad or Imole (Ligh
The Man Mohbad
Ilerioluwa was born in the small, rustic town of Oke Eletu, Ikorodu, Lagos State, on June 8, 1996. With a childhood nestled with scars of little beginnings, Ilerioluwaâs hustling spirit began as a youngst
In an interview he had some years back, Mohbad, as he was later called, revealed that he diligently saved every bit of money he earned from carpentry work and used it to book studio time to record song
This dedication to his craft eventually led him to the spotlight and success in the music industry
He rose to fame in December 2020 through his collaborative hit song âKPK (Ko Por Ke)â with renowned record producer, Rexxie. His follow-up single, âFeel Goodâ, released the next year, became a street anthem in Nigeria and many African countries
Before then, Mohbad had signed a recording deal with Marlian Music, owned by controversial Nigerian rapper, Azeez Adeshina Fashola, aka Naira Marley, in 2019. The terms and duration of the deal elude the public
Fallout With Marlian
Trouble began for Mohbad when he opted out of Marlian Music in October 2021
The late singer had called out the record label boss, Naira Marley, on social media for allegedly leading an assault against him following his request for a new manager. He shared video proofs of injuries he sustained from the alleged assault via his X handle back the
He formally exited the label in a letter dated October 25, 2022, and signed by O.M Falade, his lawye
In the letter, Mohbad alleged âviolent physical attacksâ on him and a âthreat to lifeâ from Marlian
He cited the non-fulfilment of the terms of the contract signed in 2019 when he joined the record label while also accusing the label of refusing to pay him his royalties from monetised intellectual content and advances as mutually agreed
Battle With Depression
Mohbad became depressed after he was allegedly threatened by his former record label, Marlian Music. He was also said to be regularly hounded by hoodlums sponsored by the label
The late rapper also alleged that his family was being threatened. The constant threats and intimidation took a toll on his mental health. His friend and frequent collaborator, Bella Shmurda, revealed that Mohbad once attempted suicid
Yet, the âFeel Goodâ crooner continued to make his fans happy with his talent while enduring a career that was painfully robbed of the sam
Wifeâs Revelation
Hours after Mohbadâs sudden death, his wife, Omowunmi, took to social media to express grief over his demise, explaining how hard she tried to make him stay aliv
She disclosed that their son, Liam just clocked five months on Tuesday, September 12, the same day the singer passed awa
The 24-year-old wrote, âWe had so many plans. Two responsibilities have now become one. You were my ride or die. I tried to make you stay Ilerioluwa
She lamented how their son âwould only grow to know his father through the internet
Sam Larryâs Connection
Barely 24 hours after Mohbadâs death, a video surfaced online where popular socialite and Marlian Music boss, Naira Marleyâs associate, Samson Balogun, aka Sam Larry, and others were seen disrupting a video shoot of the late rapper somewhere in Lago
In the clip, Mohbad and Zlatan Ibile could be seen shooting a music video when the armed men invaded the location, advancing to harm the former but were being prevented by the latte
Soon after, a letter from Mohbad informing the Nigeria Police Force of the threat to his life surfaced. The petition alleged that Mohbad was attacked at a video shoot on June 25, 2023, by Sam Larry and 15 others, all armed, who wreaked havoc on the place, destroying equipment worth over N5 million, and assaulting the singer who ânarrowly escaped with injuries
The petition further alleged that the armed men who disrupted Mohbadâs video shoot claimed that they worked for a Lagos monarch, Elegushi of Ikate-Elegushi Kingdom, Oba Saheed Elegush
However, the Lagos Annex, Force Criminal Investigation Department of the Nigeria Police Force, on Thursday, September 14, 2023, said it could not act on Mohbadâs petition due to his refusal to come up and adopt, defend, and also provide evidence to support the allegations made by him
The Police Public Relations Officer, FCID Annex, Lagos, Oluniyi Ogundeyi, noted that a lawyer to Sam Larry and the other suspects also wrote a counter-petition against Mohbad, alleging defamation of character, after the singer failed to show up to defend his case
Oba Elegushi Disowns Sam Larry
Following the emergence of a document from late singer, Mohbad in which the Elegushi of Ikate-Elegushi Kingdom, Oba Saheed Elegushi, was allegedly implicated by Sam Larry and his men in the alleged assault against the singer, the Elegushi Royal Family disassociated themselves from him (Sam Larry
The statement read, inter alia: âSamson Balogun [Sam Larry] is not a member of the royal family and donât work for the royal family or the king in any capacity. Like other celebrities, politicians, religious and community leaders, he visits the palace to pay homage to the king and seek royal blessings, just like other members of the public
The royal family, while extending condolences to the family of the late singer, called for a thorough investigation into Mohbadâs demis
Fatherâs Dream
The late singerâs father, James Aloba, alleged that he had a terrible dream about the singer two days before his demise
âMohbad and I were very close, and I saw him as my friend. The last time I saw him was on Saturday. We dined and had a nice time together. But, I had a dream about him just two days before the incident. In the dream, I saw someone holding a gun to shoot. I thought I escaped the bullet and did not think that such an unfortunate thing would later happen to me,â he lamented in an interview with a content creator, OG Bab
Elder Aloba said despite the allegations on social media, he isnât suspecting anyon
He, however, said he was a little concerned about the auxiliary nurse who injected Mohbad before he died, stressing that he suspects that the injection might have complicated his sonâs healt
Naira Marley and Sam Larry Speak
Sam Larry, who was accused of having a hand in the death of singer Mohbad, has denied the allegation
He claimed that âthe videos going viral happened last year when I was not in the country. So, I canât kill Mohbad, God sees my heart, and I love him so much. I donât know anything about his death
Sam Larry, who spoke in a video trending on the internet, described Mohbad as his âbeloved brotherâ, stressing that âEven his wife and everyone else know that I love Mohbad
Similarly, Mohbadâs estranged record label boss, Naira Marley, has issued a statement over the death of his former signer
In a statement posted on his Instagram on Friday, Naira Marley admitted that although they had âdisagreements, no harm whatsoever was wished on Mohbad
Police Reaction
The Nigeria Police Force on Thursday, September 14, 2023, stated that they have launched an investigation into the death of the singer
The Force PRO, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in an official statement entitled, âMohbadâs Death: We Will Carry Out Diligent Investigation â FPRO,â noted that the police was committed to a comprehensive investigation into the matter, adding that the Lagos State Commissioner of Police has been tasked to unravel the circumstances surrounding his death
The police called on âfamily members or close associates with valuable information to approach the Lagos State Commissioner of Police to assist in this process
Controversy Over Sudden Burial
The remains of singer Mohbad were buried in the Ikorodu area of Lagos, on Wednesday, barely 24 hours after he died in a controversial manne
The sudden burial sparked controversy online, with many questioning the manner in which he was hurriedly buried without an autopsy to determine the cause of his deat
However, reacting, the Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Police Command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, said the body of the late singer would be exhumed to aid investigation if need b
In an interview with media personality, Daddy Freeze, Hundeyin said the command would leave no stone unturned in the course of investigating Mohbadâs deat
He said, âIf need be, the body would be exhumed. Itâs not too late. The body can be exhumed. An autopsy can be performed
Fame After Death
Shortly after his death, Mohbad dominated social media trend tables and music streaming platforms in Nigeria and oversea
He is currently one of the most searched topics on Google. In fact, his song, âPeaceâ is currently topping Apple music in Nigeria. Other of his songs such as âAsk About Me,â âBeast and Peace,â âFeel Goodâ are among the top five currently on the chart in the countr
Mohbad is also topping the Spotify Nigeria chart with âAsk About Me
His EPs, âBlessedâ and âImoleâ are currently charting in the top 20 on Apple Music Nigeria and UK. âBlessedâ is on the top of Apple Music Nigeri
Mohbad has voiced his pain through his music, but fans never took notice of it. In âPeaceâ, he said, âBeen through many things, latâaiye genesis , I be dealing with frenemies.â⌠You donât have to hurt me, before you winâŚâ an apparent message to his tormentor in another of his song, âBeast and Peace
He saw his death coming⌠when he sang, â Iâm there no more, people will love me more, â in one of his unreleased song
Mohbad Joins Club
Mohbad, born on June 8, 1996- died at the age of 27, joining the infamous 27 Club -an informal list consisting mostly of popular musicians, artists, actors, and other celebrities who died at age 2
Despite scientific research refuting the claim of a âstatistical spikeâ in the death of musicians at age 27, it remains a cultural phenomeno
About 100 celebrities worldwide have been documented to have died at the age of 2
Some prominent members of Club 27 include Brian Jones, Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, Jim Morrison, and Amy Winehouse
The pain and struggles that accompanied his talent had finally taken their tole
The constant battles, both within the industry and within himself, had extinguished the light that was Mohbad. The fame he had earned had a heavy price, and it seemed that the weight became unbearable for him
In the end, his light dimmed, leaving behind a legacy that continues to be felt through his musi
The controversies, the battles, and the sudden end all added to the enigmatic tale of Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, known to the world as Mohbad
The controversies, the battles, and the sudden end all added to the enigmatic tale of Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, known to the world as Mohbad or Imole
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