Nigerian hip hop star, Azeez Adeshina Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley has stated while growing up in London, United Kingdom, he once played for Arsenal youth team.
The Marlian honcho, who made this known in an interview with Cool FM Nigeria in Lagos, many never knew about this part of his life prior to arriving Nigeria.
The ‘Soapy’ crooner also revealed that his dad influenced his Yoruba language as he banned speaking of English at home.
He said, “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”