Afrobeat singer, Azeez Adeshina Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley, has revealed how he was able to easily blend within the Nigerian music industry.
The singer and founder of Marlian Music Record said his childhood in England did not prevent him from speaking fluent Yoruba because his father had not permitted English language in their house.
Naira Marley said this in a recent interview with COOL FM. He said his father had made things easier for him because many did not believe he was born in London, England.
The ‘As E Dey Go’ crooner stated that his upbringing in London is similar to the lifestyle in Lagos.
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, people didn’t really know I came from London.”
The singer said he could have been a footballer, adding that he played for Arsenal youth team while in England.
