Naira Marley Alleges Widespread Cultism in Nigeria’s Music Industry

In a series of explosive social media posts that have sent shockwaves through the entertainment world, controversial singer Azeez Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley, has claimed that secret cultism is the “new normal” in the Nigerian music scene. The “Soapy” crooner took to his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Friday, January 23, 2026, to allege that the number of top-tier artists who are not initiated into various confraternities is staggeringly low. “We no reach 5 weh never join cult for this industry,” he posted, suggesting that fewer than five prominent figures have managed to stay independent of these groups.

The rapper’s revelations didn’t stop at mere membership claims; he also mocked the irony of the power dynamics within these circles. According to Marley, many of the “barons” or senior figures who influence younger artists to join for protection are themselves ironically reliant on state security. He pointed out that the very people who recruit others into these secretive folds often move around with police escorts for their own safety, highlighting a perceived lack of genuine security within the cult structures themselves.

Accompanying these claims was a preemptive disclaimer aimed at distancing himself from future industry tragedies. Having been at the center of intense scrutiny following the 2023 passing of his former signee, Mohbad—a case in which he was legally cleared by a Yaba Magistrate Court in February 2025—Naira Marley warned his followers not to link him to any potential future violence or deaths within the sector. “If anybody die no be me o,” he wrote, adding that many artists are already locked in internal rivalries and “will kill each other finish.”

His posts painted a picture of a fractured industry where alliances are built on convenience rather than friendship. Marley alleged that many artists involved in these cult groups do not actually like one another and only maintain public relationships for mutual interests or shared protection. He characterized the industry’s social landscape as a minefield of “backstabbers” who only “link up” because of shared professional circles, while harboring deep-seated personal animosity.

This public outburst comes at a time when the Nigerian music industry is still grappling with the fallout of several high-profile disputes and investigations into bullying and unethical label practices. By claiming he is one of the few who refused to join a “confra,” Marley is attempting to reframe his brand as an outsider, despite years of public perception linking the “Marlian” movement to cult-like devotion.

The timing of these posts is particularly significant, occurring just as the artist has begun making more frequent public appearances following his legal vindication a year ago. While some industry insiders view his comments as a bold exposé of a dark underbelly, others dismiss them as a strategic distraction from his own past controversies. Regardless of the motive, the “5 weh never join” claim has ignited a fierce debate online, with fans and critics alike speculating on which artists might belong to the small group of “uninitiated” individuals Marley mentioned.

The NDLEA and police authorities have yet to issue a statement regarding these specific allegations of widespread organized crime involvement among musicians. However, the revelation has undoubtedly added another layer of complexity to the ongoing conversation about the safety and professional standards within Nigeria’s multi-billion naira export: Afrobeats.