Controversial activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has stirred reactions online after claiming that Nigerian singer Naira Marley was once bigger than Afrobeats giants Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy. He made the bold statement in a recent TikTok video where he discussed the impact of cancel culture in the entertainment industry.
According to VDM, Naira Marley’s once-dominant fanbase, known as the Marlians, was the largest in Nigeria and even extended globally before the singer was “cancelled” following accusations of involvement in the death of his former signee, Mohbad. “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,” he stated, adding that jealousy within the music industry plays a major role in artists’ downfall.
VDM also called on authorities to bring closure to the Mohbad case so the public can move on. This comes after a court recently dismissed a suit filed by Mohbad’s father against Naira Marley and his associate, Sam Larry, citing insufficient evidence linking them directly to the late singer’s death.
