I used to play for Arsenal – Naira Marley reveals

Naira Marley, a popular Nigerian rapper, has revealed that he might have been a footballer if he had wanted to.

He stated that he grew up in Peckham, England, playing for Arsenal youth teams, Millwall, and Charlton, but many people were unaware of this until he returned to Nigeria.

During an interview with Cool FM Lagos, the British-Nigerian performer revealed that his father forbade the usage of English in their home, only allowing 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.