MohBad
{{Short description|Nigerian singer-songwriter (1996–2023)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Use Nigerian English|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = MohBad
| image = Mohbad (Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba).jpg
| caption =
| birth_name = Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba
| birth_date = {{birth date|1996|01|03|df=y}}
| birth_place = Ikorodu, Nigeria
| origin =
| death_date = {{death date and age|2023|09|12|1996|06|08|df=y}}
| death_place = Nigeria
| genre = {{hlist|Afrobeats|Streetpop|Amapiano|Afropop|Hip Hop}}
| years_active = 2019–2023
| label = Marlians Music (Former), Imolenization
| background = solo_singer
| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter|musician}}
| instrument = Vocals
| website =
| module =
| module2 = {{Infobox YouTube personality|embed=yes
| channels = [http://www.youtube.com/@iammohbad Mohbad]
| subscribers = 221K
| views = 53 Million
| stats_update = 04 December 2024
}}
}}
Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba (3 January 1996 – 12 September 2023), known professionally as MohBad, was a Nigerian rapper, singer, and songwriter from Lagos. Mohbad was formerly signed to Naira Marley's Marlian Records and left the label in 2022.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-06-22 |title=Meet 8 Artistes Signed By Marlian Records |url=https://leadership.ng/meet-8-artistes-signed-by-marlian-records/ |access-date=2024-12-14 |website=Leadership |language=en-US}} He was best known for his hit songs "Ponmo," "Peace," "Beast and Peace," "Sorry", "Feel Good," and "KPK (Ko Por Ke)" (You Will Always Be Remembered) with Rexxie, which was nominated three times for The Headies awards 2022.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/headies-awards-2022-nominations-1235118266/|title=Wizkid Leads 2022 Headies Awards Nominees: See Complete List|magazine=Billboard|last=Aderoju|first=Darlene|date=26 July 2022|access-date=16 January 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.afrocritik.com/full-list-of-2022-headies-awards-winners/|title=Full List of 2022 Headies Awards Winners|work=Afrocritik|date=5 September 2022 |access-date=16 January 2023}} On 18 September 2023, he ranked number 1 on TurnTable
Early life
Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba{{cite news|last=Mosadioluwa|first=Adam|title=How I took loan in 3 places to send Mohbad to school — father|work=Nigerian Tribune|date=3 October 2023|url=https://tribuneonlineng.com/how-i-took-loan-in-3-places-to-send-mohbad-to-school-father/|access-date=10 October 2023}} was born on 3 January 1996{{cite news |last1=Olufemi |first1=Damilola |title=Celebrities, fans mark Mohbad's 28 posthumous birthday |url=https://punchng.com/celebrities-fans-mark-mohbads-28-posthumous-birthday/ |work=Punch Newspapers |date=3 January 2024}} in Ikorodu, Nigeria.{{Cite web |date=2023-10-31 |title=Mohbad's wife speaks says, 'DNA is definitely a must' - Daily Trust |url=https://dailytrust.com/mohbads-wife-speaks-says-dna-is-definitely-a-must/ |access-date=2024-07-17 |website= |language=en-US}}
During his early childhood and adolescence years, MohBad seemed to be "hugely talented and in tune with the very spirit of music".{{cite web|url=https://punchng.com/nigeria-failed-mohbad/|title=Nigeria failed Mohbad|author=Niran Adedokun|publisher=The Punch Newspaper|access-date=2024-05-06|archive-date=2024-02-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240217191529/https://punchng.com/nigeria-failed-mohbad/|url-status=dead}}
Music career
MohBad released his debut album, Light, in the fourth quarter of 2020 as a follow-up to his viral song "Ponmo," which featured Naira Marley and Lil Kesh.{{cite news|url=https://leadership.ng/mohbad-the-rapper-singer-songwriter/|title=Mohbad: The Rapper, Singer, Songwriter|work=Leadership|last=Rablu|first=Maryam|date=12 September 2023|access-date=10 January 2024}} MohBad was nominated five times for The Beatz Awards 2021.{{cite web |title=Beatz Award names category after Don Jazzy (Nomination full list) |url=https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2021/10/30/beatz-award-names-category-after-don-jazzy-nomination-full-list/ |access-date=16 May 2022 |website=P.M. News}}
MohBad was listed in Audiomack's top 21 Afrobeat artists of 2021.{{cite web |date=30 December 2021 |title=Audiomack unveils top 21 afrobeats artists of 2021 |url=https://guardian.ng/arts-2/audiomack-unveils-top-21-afrobeats-artists-of-2021/ |access-date=16 January 2023 |work=Guardian Nigeria}} In 2022, he released Peace, produced by Rexxie.{{cite news|url=https://flmag.co.uk/article/mohbad-peace|title=Mohbad: Peace|work=Flmag.co.uk|last=Mwambakale|first=Abbas|date=5 September 2022|access-date=16 January 2023}} It peaked on the TurnTable top 50 in 2021 and top 100 in 2022.{{cite web |last1=Oriowo |first1=Ayomide |title=End of the Year Charts — TurnTable Top 100 |url=https://www.turntablecharts.com/charts/20 |website=www.turntablecharts.com |publisher=TurnTable |access-date=12 February 2023}} After the announcement of his death, "Peace" became a major hit, reaching number one on Apple Music in Nigeria and was accompanied by his single "Ask About Me," at number two. As of 15 September 2023, "Beast & Peace," the opening track on Blessed was at number four and "Feel Good" at number five.{{cite web |last1=peaceman |first1=Pandora |title=Mohbad Song Top NO.1 On Apple Music Chart |url=https://newtelegraphng.com/mohbad-song-top-no-1-on-apple-music-chart/ |website=New Telegraph |access-date=24 September 2023 |date=15 September 2023}} Between 12 and 14 September, his streams increased by 702%, from 990,000 to 8.02 million.{{cite web |last1=Charts |first1=TurnTable |title=Mohbad's Music Streams Climb 702% {{as written|Fol|llowing [sic]}} His Death |url=https://www.turntablecharts.com/news/1088 |access-date=24 September 2023 |website=TurnTable Charts |publisher=TurnTable}} For the week of 23 September 2023, "Peace" debuted on Billboard's Hot Trending Songs chart at number two.{{cite magazine |last1=Cabison |first1=Rosalie |title=Hot Trending Songs Powered by X |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/x-hot-trending-songs/2023-09-23/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=24 September 2023 |date=22 October 2021}}
On 18 September 2023, Blessed reached a new peak at number four, and Light made its first chart entry at number 20 on the Nigerian Official Top 50 Albums chart.{{cite web |title=Official Top 50 Albums |url=https://www.turntablecharts.com/charts/2 |website=TurnTable Charts |publisher=TurnTable |access-date=24 September 2023}} On 21 September, streams of Blessed increased by over 530%.{{cite web |last1=Africa |first1=PulsTV |title=Mohbad: Late Singer's Ep Blessed Reaches 530% On Streaming Platforms |url=https://plustvafrica.com/mohbad-late-singers-ep-blessed-reaches-530-on-streaming-platforms/ |website=Plus TV Africa |access-date=24 September 2023 |date=21 September 2023}} On 23 September he became the 46th best-selling digital artist, surpassing international artists such as Nicki Minaj, Eminem, 21 Savage, Lady Gaga, and Chris Brown.{{cite web |last1=Stephen |first1=Onu |title=Mohbad is 46th best-selling digital artiste in the world |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/music/627769-mohbad-is-46th-best-selling-digital-artiste-in-the-world.html |website=Premium Times Nigeria |access-date=24 September 2023 |date=23 September 2023}}
He was later described as "one of the greatest rappers".{{cite web | url=https://joliba.com.ng/2024/06/07/drug-reaction-possible-cause-of-late-rapper-mohbads-death-autopsy-report/ | title=Drug Reaction, Possible Cause of Late Rapper, Mohbad's Death - Autopsy Report | date=7 June 2024 }}{{cite web | url=https://edugist.org/15-key-facts-about-mohbad/ | title=15 key facts about MohBad — Edugist | date=11 September 2024 }}
= ''Blessed'' (EP) =
Mohbad's EP Blessed, his first after leaving Marlian Records World, was released in June 2023 under his own label, Imolenization. The eight songs on the 20-minute EP featured Nigerian artists Zlatan and Bella Shmurda, and producers Niphkeys and Timi Jay. The album charted at number one on Apple Music in Nigeria the week it was released, and subsequently, immediately after his death.{{Cite web |last=Afigbo |first=Chinasa |date=2023-09-14 |title="Fame after death": Mohbad's album beats Burna, Asake, hits No 1 on Apple Music |url=https://www.legit.ng/entertainment/celebrities/1554045-mohbads-album-blessed-shoots-1-apple-music-beats-burna-boys-i-told-respect/ |access-date=2023-09-16 |website=Legit.ng}}
= ''Light'' (EP) =
MohBad issued his first EP, Light, after agreeing to a record deal with Marlian Records World in 2019. The eight songs on the EP feature Davido, Naira Marley, and Lil Kesh.{{Cite web |title=Mohbad features Davido, Naira Marley & Lil Kesh in "Light EP" – P.M. News |url=https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2020/12/19/mohbad-features-davido-naira-marley-lil-kesh-in-light-ep/ |access-date=20 February 2023 |language=en-US}}
Naira Marley served as executive producer for the eight-track EP, which also bears the production stamps of SB, Rexxie, P.Beat, and Austin Sinister.{{Cite web |last=Alake |first=Motolani |date=22 December 2020 |title='Light' proves Mohbad needs to step away from Naira Marley's shadow [Pulse EP Review] |url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/review-mohbad-light-ep/qhjgb5t |access-date=20 February 2023 |website=Pulse Nigeria |language=en}}
Controversy
= NDLEA arrest =
In February 2022, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested MohBad, Zinoleesky, and four others at their home in Lekki, Lagos for possession of illegal substances that included MDMA and cannabis.{{cite web |last=Olaeze |first=Christine |date=24 February 2022 |title=Why we arrested singers Zinoleesky, Mohbad – NDLEA |url=https://dailytrust.com/why-we-arrested-singers-zinoleesky-mohbad-ndlea/ |access-date=15 January 2023 |work=Daily Trust}}{{cite web |last=Adewole |first=Segun |date=24 February 2022 |title=NDLEA arrests singers Zinoleesky, Mohbad, recovers drugs |url=https://www.punchng.com/ndlea-arrests-singers-zinoleesky-mohbad-recovers-drugs/ |access-date=15 January 2023 |work=Punch Newspapers}}{{cite web |last=Emmanuel |first=Egobiambu |date=24 February 2022 |title=NDLEA Arrest Singers Zinoleesky And Mohbad For Drug Offences |url=https://www.channelstv.com/2022/02/24/ndlea-arrest-rappers-zinoleesky-and-mohbad-for-drug-offences/ |access-date=15 January 2023 |work=Channels TV}}
Some viral videos on social media showed NDLEA operatives breaking into the musicians’ home in the Lekki district of Lagos State in the early hours of Thursday morning.{{Cite news |title=NDLEA gbab Zinoleesky and Mohbad say dem allegedly dey in possession of illegal drugs |work=BBC News Pidgin |url=https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/world-60503737 |date=24 February 2022 |access-date=20 February 2023}} According to witnesses, the officials carried out the arrest without any search warrants and mistreated the Marlian singers. The NDLEA officers were seen hitting the musicians with clubs and shooting into the air, forcing them into waiting trucks.{{cite web |last=Onu |first=Stephen |date=25 February 2022 |title=NDLEA: Naira Marley condemns signees' detention, says 'it's a pattern' |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/music/513815-ndlea-naira-marley-condemns-signees-detention-says-its-a-pattern.html |access-date=15 January 2023 |work=Premium Times}}
NDLEA confirmed the raid, stating "our men raided an area in Idado estate where Naira Marley’s boys stay."{{cite web |last=Odion |first=Okonofua |date=24 February 2022 |title='We found drugs with them' – NDLEA speaks on reason behind Zinoleesky and Mohbad's arrest |url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/celebrities/ndlea-speaks-on-reason-behind-zinoleesky-and-mohbads-arrest/l6llpjh.amp |access-date=15 January 2023 |work=Pulse Nigeria}} According to a spokesperson for the NDLEA, cannabis and MDMA was found in their apartment and car.{{cite web |last=Ojo |first=James |date=1 March 2022 |title=NDLEA saga with Zinoleesky, Mohbad resolved, says Naira Marley |url=https://lifestyle.thecable.ng/ndlea-saga-with-zinoleesky-mohbad-resolved-says-naira-marley/ |access-date=15 January 2023 |work=The Cable}} MohBad, Zinoleesky, and four others were later released.{{cite web |last=Emmanuel |first=Chibuzo |date=24 February 2022 |title=Marlian Music Singers, Zinoleesky and Mohbad Have Been Detained by NDLEA Officials |url=https://thenativemag.com/zinoleesky-mohbad-ndlea-detain/ |access-date=16 January 2023 |work=The Native}}
= Allegations against Naira Marley and Sam Larry =
After two years, he announced his departure from Marlian Records. On 5 October 2022, MohBad accused his manager, singer Naira Marley, of assault and stated that his former boss ordered people to beat him up after he announced his intention to employ a different manager to handle his music and business affairs.{{Cite web |date=6 October 2022 |title=Naira Marley coordinated my assaulters, Mohbad opens up |url=https://punchng.com/naira-marley-coordinated-my-assaulters-mohbad-opens-up/ |access-date=20 February 2023 |website=Punch Newspapers |language=en-US}}{{cite web|url=https://tribuneonlineng.com/mohbad-tackles-naira-marley-again/|title=Mohbad tackles Naira Marley again|work=Nigerian Tribune|date=13 November 2022|access-date=16 January 2023}}{{Cite web |last=Adebiyi |first=Adeayo |date=5 October 2022 |title=Mohbad alleges that he was beaten in Naira Marley's Marlian Record House |url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/mohbad-shares-clip-of-alleged-assault-at-naira-marleys-marlian-house/sqrw6bx |access-date=6 October 2022 |website=Pulse Nigeria |language=en}}
After MohBad's death, it was reported that he had filed a police report in June 2023 alleging that Samson Erinfolami Balogun, a music promoter nicknamed "Sam Larry" and a known associate of Marley's, had assaulted him and destroyed some of his property. In the report, MohBad said that Larry had interrupted a video shoot, leading a group of 15 men armed with firearms and cutlasses who claimed to work for monarch Oba Elegushi.{{cite news |last1=Alabi |first1=Tope |title=Threat to life: Mohbad's petition to police against Sam Larry, others surfaces |url=https://punchng.com/petition-of-threat-to-life-malicious-damage-of-properties-mohbads-petition-to-police-against-sam-larry-others-surfaces/ |access-date=14 September 2023 |work=Punch |date=14 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230914200529/https://punchng.com/petition-of-threat-to-life-malicious-damage-of-properties-mohbads-petition-to-police-against-sam-larry-others-surfaces/ |archive-date=14 September 2023}} Police later said MohBad had not attended a subsequent meeting to address the allegations, and that Balogun and others accused of the assault had then filed a defamation complaint.{{cite news |last1=Sanusi |first1=Abiodun |title=BREAKING: Police invited Sam Larry, Mohbad failed to show up – FCID |url=https://punchng.com/breaking-police-invited-sam-larry-mohbad-failed-to-show-up-fcid/ |access-date=14 September 2023 |work=Punch |date=14 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230914200249/https://punchng.com/breaking-police-invited-sam-larry-mohbad-failed-to-show-up-fcid/ |archive-date=14 September 2023}} Elegushi released a statement distancing himself from Balogun and expressing condolences on MohBad's death.{{cite news |last1=Itodo |first1=Sunny Green |title=Mohbad: Oba Elegushi disowns Sam Larry |url=https://dailypost.ng/2023/09/14/mohbad-oba-elegushi-disowns-sam-larry/ |access-date=14 September 2023 |work=Nigerian Daily Post |date=14 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230914200103/https://dailypost.ng/2023/09/14/mohbad-oba-elegushi-disowns-sam-larry/ |archive-date=14 September 2023}}
Personal life and death
{{Main|Death of MohBad}}
MohBad and his wife, Omawunmi, had a son who was born in April 2023.{{Cite web |last=Owolawi |first=Taiwo |date=13 September 2023 |title="Our son is just 5-months old": Singer Mohbad's 24-year-old wife cries out |url=https://www.legit.ng/entertainment/celebrities/1553717-mohbad-dead-singers-wife-omowunmi-cries-son-5-months-fans-sympathise/ |access-date=13 September 2023 |website=Legit.ng – Nigeria news. |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Kalu |first=Esther |date=2023-09-13 |title=Nigerian rapper Mohbad dies at 27 |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/625228-nigerian-rapper-mohbad-dies-at-27.html |access-date=2024-12-14 |website=Premium Times}} On 12 September 2023, MohBad died at the age of 27 after being treated for an infection by an unlicensed nurse, who was later arrested.{{Cite web |title=Nigerian Nurses' Association Says Purported Nurse Who Gave MohBad Anti-Tetanus Injection Is Quack, Not Its Member {{!}} Sahara Reporters |url=https://saharareporters.com/2023/09/23/nigerian-nurses-association-says-purported-nurse-who-gave-mohbad-anti-tetanus-injection |access-date=2023-09-25 |website=saharareporters.com}}{{Cite web |date=12 September 2023 |title=Singer Mohbad is dead |url=https://lifestyle.thecable.ng/mohbad-dead/ |access-date=12 September 2023 |website=TheCable Lifestyle |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Daramola |first=Ibukunoluwa |date=12 September 2023 |title=Nigerian singer Mohbad has died at age 27 |url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/celebrities/nigerian-singer-mohbad-has-died-at-age-27/e5trbqf |access-date=13 September 2023 |website=Pulse Nigeria |language=en}} Police subsequently announced they would investigate the circumstances of the singer's death after his body was exhumed on 21 September 2023.{{cite web |last1=Ademola |first1=Bisi |title=Everything You Need To Know About Mohbad's Death
|url=https://africanfolder.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-mohbads-death/ |work=African Folder |date=19 September 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Ukonu |first1=Ivory |title=MohBad's Body May Be Exhumed For Autopsy – Police Reveals |url=https://thewillnews.com/mohbads-body-may-be-exhumed-for-autopsy-police-reveals/ |access-date=16 September 2023 |work=The Will |date=16 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230916141133/https://thewillnews.com/mohbads-body-may-be-exhumed-for-autopsy-police-reveals/ |archive-date=16 September 2023}}
Discography
= EPs =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of studio extended plays, with selected details and chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:14em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:17em;"| Details ! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions |
| scope="col" style="width:2.8em;font-size:90%;"| NG |
|---|
| scope="row"|Light
|
|7 |
| scope="row"|Blessed
|
|1 |
== As lead artist ==
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+List of singles as lead artist, with year released and album shown ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:18em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:1em;"| Year ! colspan="6" scope="col" | Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;"| Certifications ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:15em;"| Album |
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| NG ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| NG ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| SA ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| UK ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| UK ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| US |
|---|
| scope="row"|"BB2 Poverty"
| rowspan="7"| 2019 | — || — || — || — || — || — | | rowspan="9" {{TBA}} |
| scope="row"| "Mi O Foh"
| — || — || — || — || — || — | |
| scope="row"| "Owoale" (feat. Lil Frosh & C Blvck) | — || — || — || — || — || — | |
| scope="row"| "Neon" (feat. Updateboyz, Dope Sticks & JerryClef) | — || — || — || — || — || — | |
| scope="row"| "Imole"
| — || — || — || — || — || — | |
| scope="row"| "Oja" (feat. Oladips) | — || — || — || — || — || — | |
| scope="row"| "Balan Zia Gar"
| — || — || — || — || — || — | |
| scope="row"| "Mio Foh"
| rowspan="5"| 2020 | — || — || — || — || — || — | |
| scope="row"| "Komajensun" (feat. Naira Marley) | — || — || — || — || — || — | |
| scope="row"| "Ponmo" (feat. Naira Marley & Lil Kesh) | — || — || — || — || — || — | | rowspan="2"| Light |
| scope="row"| "Cinderella"
| — || — || — || — || — || — | |
| scope="row"| ""KPK (Ko Por Ke)"" (with. Rexxie) | 53 || 16 || — || — || — || — | |
| scope="row"| "Feel Good"
| rowspan="2"| 2021 | 7 || 4 || — || — || 20 || 33 | | rowspan="6" {{TBA}} |
| scope="row"| "Backside"
| 69 || 21 || — || — || — || — | |
| scope="row"| "Ronaldo"
| rowspan="4" | 2022 | 38 || 13 || — || — || — || — | |
| scope="row"| "Peace"
| 5 || 2 || — || — || — || 23 |
|
| scope="row"| "Tiff"
| 49 || 17 || — || — || — || — | |
| scope="row"| "Weekend"{{cite web |last=Overo |first=Naomi |date=24 November 2022 |title=Mohbad Toasts to the Future in New Single, "Weekend" |url=https://culturecustodian.cm/mohbad-toasts-to-the-future-in-new-single-weekend/ |access-date=16 January 2023 |work=culture Custodian}}
| 32 || 11 || — || — || — || — | |
| scope="row"| "Ask About Me"
| rowspan="3" | 2023 | 1 || 1 || — || — || 9 || 24 | |Blessed |
| scope="row"| "Hallelujah"
| — || — || — || — || — || — | | rowspan="2" {{TBA}} |
| scope="row"| "Jah is my Confidence"{{Cite news |last=Tega |date=2023-09-23 |title=Mohbad – Jah Is My Confidence |url=https://www.multiloaded.com/mohbad-jah-is-my-confidence-1/ |access-date=2023-09-23 |website=MultiLoaded Music |language=en-US}}
| — || — || — || — || — || — | |
Awards and nominations
{{Incomplete list|date=February 2023}}
See also
{{portal|Biography}}