Nigerian singer Zinoleesky has sparked rumours of a possible fallout with his boss, Naira Marley, following a cryptic social media post over the weekend. Fans and followers quickly took to online platforms to speculate about the state of the relationship between the singer and the Marlian Records boss.
The speculation began after Zinoleesky shared a trending post on his Instagram story, vowing to stand up for himself and other artists whom he felt had been taken advantage of in the industry.
In the post, the singer expressed frustration over the poor treatment of performers and demanded transparency, fairness, and respect in the music business.
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He wrote: “I’m standing up not just for myself but for every artist who has ever felt powerless or taken advantage of. We deserve better. We deserve transparency, fairness, and respect.”
The message, though not mentioning anyone directly, immediately sparked intense discussions online. Many fans linked the statement to Naira Marley, Zinoleesky’s label boss, and revisited old claims by the late singer Mohbad, a former Marlian Records artiste.
Mohbad, who passed away two years ago, had repeatedly alleged mistreatment while under Naira Marley’s label. He accused the label and some associates of assault and exploitation before his untimely death. For many followers, Zinoleesky’s post appeared as a long-awaited acknowledgement of those claims and a stand for artists’ rights.
Social media users shared mixed reactions. Some praised Zinoleesky for speaking out, describing the post as bold and courageous. Others expressed concern that the relationship between the singer and his label could be under strain.
Many fans speculated that the post might indicate an impending exit from Marlian Records, while some urged patience, noting that the statement could have been intended as a general call for fairness rather than a personal accusation.
Zinoleesky joined Marlian Records in December 2019, signing under Naira Marley, who founded the label. Since then, he has released several successful songs, gaining widespread recognition in the Nigerian music scene.
However, the relationship between rising stars and their labels in Nigeria has often been a subject of debate, with allegations of exploitation occasionally surfacing.
While the singer did not directly address Naira Marley in his statement, the public reaction suggested that fans viewed the post through the lens of his current label association. Some commentators speculated that the message might encourage other artists to speak up about their experiences, potentially influencing a shift in how labels manage talent.
New Daily Prime reports that the cryptic message has now become a trending topic on social media, with discussions spanning Twitter, Instagram, and fan forums. Fans have flooded comments with support, sharing stories of artists who felt exploited and calling for industry reforms.
For many observers, the incident highlighted the pressures and challenges young artistes face in the Nigerian music industry. It also underscored the need for respect, transparency, and fairness in professional relationships between stars and their managers or labels.
Whether this is a prelude to a major career move for Zinoleesky or a call for industry reform remains to be seen. For now, fans continue to watch closely, engaging in debates and expressing hopes for positive change.
