Nigerian popstar Ayra Starr has found herself at the center of controversy after posting a video promoting a song by Naira Marley, a singer widely criticized and “canceled” by many Nigerians.
Shortly after sharing the clip, Ayra deleted it following an intense backlash from social media users who questioned her decision to associate with Marley. The video quickly gained traction, sparking heated debates and making her a trending topic on Twitter.
Many fans expressed disappointment, arguing that as a rising star with a strong reputation, she should have been more mindful of the implications of promoting an artist embroiled in controversy. Others defended her, suggesting that her intention may not have been to endorse Marley’s past actions but simply to share music she enjoyed.
The backlash stems from Naira Marley’s tarnished reputation following the mysterious death of his former signee, Mohbad, in 2023. After Mohbad’s passing, disturbing allegations surfaced, accusing Marley of bullying and cyberstalking the late singer while he was alive.
These accusations fueled widespread outrage, leading to calls for boycotting Marley’s music and significantly reducing his fan engagement. Many Nigerians believed that his alleged mistreatment of Mohbad contributed to the young artist’s struggles before his untimely death, and this perception has persisted ever since. As a result, any public association with Marley remains highly controversial, making Ayra Starr’s endorsement—intentional or not—particularly sensitive.
Since the incident, Ayra Starr has remained silent on the matter, neither addressing the criticism nor explaining her actions. However, the swift deletion of the video suggests she recognized the potential fallout and sought to distance herself from the controversy.
The incident highlights the power and influence of social media in shaping public perception and holding celebrities accountable for their actions. In an industry where reputation is everything, Ayra’s misstep serves as a reminder of how closely fans scrutinize their idols and how even a single post can ignite widespread backlash. Whether this controversy will have a lasting impact on her career remains to be seen.
See reactions below:
“Imagine If Don Jazzy treats Ayra Starr the same way Naira Marley treated Mohbad.”
“It’s just the lyric 🙄 we no really care about the artist.”
“You are cancelled, I hate nonsense”
“I’m so disappointed in Ayra starr for vibing to that Naira Marley latest song And am unfollowing her everywhere and stop listening to her music Rubbish Cause You people didn’t have mercy when Bloody Civilian took pictures with Very Dark Man and Odumodu. Rest on mohbad“
“The lyrics sef is R*bbish… its the beat 😩 The beat will just be confusing someone.”
“I’m so disappointed in Ayra Starr for listening and promoting Naira Marley’s song. We need to cancel her!“
“Ayra Starr hasn’t posted video of her vibing to her fellow female artist music. Teni dropped “Money” she didn’t vibe to it, na Naira Marley song she Dey vibe to.“
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