Mohbad tops charts after musician’s death

27 Sep 2023 - 18:10

Published under the Creative Commons Licence

Africa-facing music streaming platform Boomplay has welcomed the late musician Mohbad into its Golden Club, joining fellow Nigerian stars like Wizkid, Davido, Fireboy DML, Joeboy and Omah Lay.

Mohbad.

“We celebrate the life of Imole Mohbad as he officially hits 100 million Boomplay streams,” the company said. “May his soul continue to rest in perfect peace. The light will shine forever.”

Mohbad, born Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, was behind the 2020 eight-track EP Light featuring guests Davido, Naira Marley and Lil Kesh. In June, he dropped his sophomore EP Blessed with collaborations from Bella Shmurda and Zlatan.

In the latest weekly TurnTable Nigeria Top 100 chart for the week of 15-21 September, Mohbad achieved multiple entries in the top 10. ‘Ask About Me’ climbed 20 places to secure the No 2 spot, while ‘Beast & Peace’ moved up 29 places to No 3.

Additionally, ‘Ask Abou Me’ has reached the top spot on the Apple Music Top 100: Nigeria chart. Other notable placements on the same chart include ‘Beast & Peace’ at No 3, ‘Peace’ at No 4 and ‘Sabi’ at No 6. ‘Pariwo’ with Bella Shmurda is in eighth spot.

Within days of his passing, Mohbad’s songs also made it onto Billboard’s Hot Trending Songs chart, securing three spots in the top 10 with ‘Peace’, ‘Feel Good’ and ‘Ask About Me’. On Spotify, ‘Ask About Me‘ and ‘Beast & Peace’ occupy the No 1 and 2 spots on the streamig service’s Top Songs – Nigeria chart.

Nigerian police are investigating the circumstances surrounding Mohbad’s death, prompted by reported threats to his life prior to his passing on 12 September.

On 26 September, rapper Naira Marley, whose Marlian Music label was home to Mohbad until 2022, flatly denied any involvement in the musician’s death and expressed his trauma over the situation. He said he had been out of the country since 31 August but was making arrangements to return to cooperate with the police investigation.

“In due time, the circumstances surrounding Mohbad’s death will be unveiled and the world will know the truth,” Naira Marley said.

Lagos State police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin announced last week that Mohbad’s autopsy results were still pending.

“The right questions will be asked and answered at the right place before the right people, but most importantly, at the right time,” he said. “Rest assured that every single homicide investigation protocol is being followed, as there is zero tolerance for shoddiness.”