British-Nigerian singer, Azeez Adeshina Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley, explained why he speaks Yoruba fluently despite growing up in London, United Kingdom. During an interview with Cool FM Nigeria in Lagos, the Marlian Music leader shared that his father strictly banned the use of English in their household, only allowing Yoruba to be spoken.
Naira Marley spent his early years in South-East London, specifically in Peckham, an area known for its large Nigerian community. His upbringing there was heavily influenced by Nigerian culture, with his father enforcing the use of Yoruba language at home. This immersion in Yoruba culture and language contributed to his ability to blend effortlessly with Nigerian street music when he returned to Nigeria.
Despite being in England, Naira Marley’s upbringing kept him deeply connected to his Nigerian roots. He mentioned that his love for African foods and traditional music, such as Fuji, also played a role in maintaining his cultural ties.
Additionally, Naira Marley revealed that he had a passion for football and was a talented player during his time in England. He even played for the youth team of Arsenal, one of the top football clubs in the UK. However, his interest in music eventually took precedence, leading him to become the influential artist he is today.