Naira Marley chases the limelight again with new single titled: Cartoon

It is true what people say, that when life hits you hard, you become a motivational speaker. Your words begin to carry deep meanings; first for yourself and then others.

This is what has happened to Azeez Adeshina Fashola, PKA, Naira Marley of late, tweeting series of motivational messages, since the release of his new single: Cartoon.

The street-pop star, once adored and later condemned, has returned to the airwaves with a song that feels less like a typical club record and more like a reflection of a man trying to piece his life back together.

For fans who remember the swagger of “Issa Goal” or the provocation of “Soapy,” this new release carries a different weight. It is not only music; it is Marley’s attempt to be heard again, to be seen in a new light after years in the shadows of scandal.

Since its release on the 28th of August, Cartoon has become a talking point online, drawing both admiration and criticism.

Clips of social critic VeryDarkMan (VDM) dancing to the track have only added fuel to the conversation, with some suggesting it is a strategic attempt at image repair and others insisting the song’s appeal stands on its own.

What is clear is that Naira Marley is back in the spotlight, and this time the story is as much about redemption as it is about rhythm.

From Street Glory to Public Backlash

Naira Marley’s career has always walked a fine line between stardom and notoriety. He burst onto the scene in 2017 with “Issa Goal,” the anthem that carried Nigeria’s Super Eagles into the 2018 World Cup.

His mix of Afrobeats, hip-hop, and Yoruba street-pop gave him an edge, while the Marlian Movement—his fiercely loyal fan base—made him a cultural force.

But controversy became his trademark. In 2019, his arrest by the EFCC on cyber-fraud charges shot him further into the limelight, inspiring the single “Am I A Yahoo Boy.” Later that year, “Soapy” stirred outrage with its suggestive dance moves even as it topped charts.

By the end of the year, Marley was not just an artist but a label boss, launching Marlian Records with signees like Zinoleesky, CBlvck, and MohBad.

The empire, however, soon began to crumble. A lockdown-defying concert in 2020 drew government backlash. Then in 2022, MohBad accused Marley and his camp of harassment and violence.

In September 2023, MohBad’s sudden death became a national tragedy, sparking the #JusticeForMohBad movement. Public anger was swift and unforgiving. Marley was briefly detained for questioning, his music was banned from airplay, and his shows collapsed. For many, the Marlian brand became a cautionary tale.

In 2025, Marley finally addressed the matter directly. In a video titled “My Side of the Story,” he claimed MohBad had been introduced to harmful substances by associates and said he personally warned him to stop.

He described MohBad as “a brother” and denied any role in his death, stating that their disagreements were already being resolved through legal channels. While some accepted his words, others felt the damage to his reputation had already been done.

Testing Redemption with Cartoon

That is what makes Cartoon so significant. Produced by Benzer Republic and released under My Type of Music Ltd., the track is more than a catchy record; it is Marley’s first real step back into public life.

Its playful bounce is layered with lines that double as a metaphor for escape and disconnection— “Eti high e lo n wo bi cartoon”—a phrase that, while steeped in street slang, reflects a man who knows what it means to be seen as detached from reality.

The song has found traction online, aided by viral clips of VDM dancing to the beat. Whether intentional or not, those moments have placed Marley back in conversations beyond scandal. Supporters call it a fresh start, while critics see it as a fragile attempt at rehabilitation.

What cannot be denied is that Marley has chosen not to fade away quietly. With Cartoon, he is testing whether the public that once crowned him is willing to listen again. If the song gains momentum, it could mark the beginning of a slow redemption arc. If it falters, it may serve as the final proof that his era has passed.

For now, Naira Marley is chasing the limelight again—through beats, through words, and through the hope that music can rebuild bridges that controversy once burned.