Naira Marley Was Bigger Than Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy Before Scandal - Very Dark Man

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Controversial social media activist, Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has stirred debate with a bold claim that Naira Marley once surpassed Nigeria’s biggest music stars Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy in fame and fanbase, before being dragged into controversy over the death of his former signee, Mohbad.

In a recent TikTok broadcast, VeryDarkMan alleged that Naira Marley had the most dominant fanbase in the Nigerian music scene known widely as the "Marlians" and that his influence extended far beyond the country’s borders. 

According to him, Marley’s rise was unprecedented, but his downfall was a direct consequence of “cancel culture” that arose following the backlash linked to Mohbad’s untimely death.

“Naira Marley was bigger than Wizkid, Burna Boy and Davido. He had a very large fanbase both in Nigeria and abroad until this Mohbad issue. The music industry is so dark. The jealousy in the industry is too much,” VDM said during his video.

He lamented the toxic culture within the entertainment space, where he believes envy and misinformation can bring down even the most promising stars. 

VDM called on authorities to hasten investigations and bring closure to the lingering controversy surrounding Mohbad’s death, arguing that dragging it on only fuels further division and speculation.

Naira Marley, who rose to fame with street anthems and his unapologetically rebellious persona, became a household name among Nigeria’s youth. 

At the peak of his career, his songs dominated airwaves, his social media engagement soared, and the “Marlian” identity became a cultural movement. 

However, his reputation suffered a significant blow after Mohbad’s death sparked widespread outrage. Social media users and fans, without waiting for conclusive evidence, were quick to accuse Marley and his associate, Sam Larry, of foul play leading to boycotts and online cancel campaigns.

Despite the court recently dismissing the case filed by Mohbad’s father against Marley and Larry due to insufficient evidence, public sentiment remains divided. While some believe Naira Marley was unfairly judged, others argue that his silence and past controversies made him an easy target for blame.

VeryDarkMan’s comments have reignited old debates about how quickly public perception can shift in the age of digital media. 

His assertion that jealousy plays a major role in the music industry touches on a deeper frustration among entertainers who feel that success is often undermined by unfounded rumors, rivalries, and mob judgments.

Whether or not Naira Marley was truly bigger than Wizkid, Davido, or Burna Boy is debatable, but there’s no denying that he once held enormous cultural sway. 

His story is now a cautionary tale on the volatility of fame in Nigeria’s entertainment industry where one moment you’re on top of the world, and the next, you’re a pariah. For many fans and observers, only time and truth will determine if Marley’s legacy will be restored.

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