Popular Nigerian rapper, Azeez Fashiola, known professionally as Naira Marley has said he could’ve been a footballer if he wanted.
He said that he grew up in Peckham, England playing for Arsenal youth, Millwall, and Charlton teams but many people never knew when he returned to Nigeria.
The British-Nigerian artiste, while being interviewed on Cool FM Lagos, said his father banned the speaking of English in their house while allowing only Yoruba.
The Marlian Music boss said that though he was in England, most of the things he did and liked were mostly traced to Nigeria. Naira Marley noted that he listened to Fuji music, ate African foods and they lived in Peckham, which was like an extension of Lagos.
“What made it easy for me (to blend with Nigerian street music) is that I grew up in South-East London, Peckham to be precise. That is like small Lagos, you know what I mean?
And all my life in England, my dad banned speaking English in the house. So, we had to speak Yoruba and all these Yoruba stuff. I still listen to Fuji. We eat African foods. Even though I’m in England, it was like I’m still in Nigeria. Yeah, it was easy for me.
When I came back (to Nigeria), people didn’t really know I came from London. I could have been a footballer too, i used to play for Arsenal Youth, Millwall, Charlton,” he said.