Dad Banned Speaking of English at Home – Naira Marley

Naira Marley, the acclaimed British-Nigerian singer, whose real name is Azeez Adeshina Fashola, has opened up about his remarkable fluency in the Yoruba language, despite growing up in London, the United Kingdom.

In a recent interview with Cool FM Nigeria in Lagos, the Marlian Music honcho shared the fascinating story of how his upbringing in South-East London, particularly in the Peckham area, contributed to his affinity for Nigerian street music and the Yoruba language.

Naira Marley revealed that his father played a pivotal role in shaping his linguistic abilities. In their household, his dad enforced a strict rule banning the speaking of English, permitting only the use of the Yoruba language. This immersion in Yoruba culture and language became a significant part of his upbringing, creating an environment reminiscent of Nigeria, despite being thousands of miles away in England.

He expressed, “And all my life in England, my dad banned speaking English in the house. So, we had to speak Yoruba and all this 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.”

Naira Marley’s profound connection with the Yoruba language has become a defining element of his music, predominantly expressed in his rap compositions. His ability to seamlessly blend into the Nigerian street music scene is partly attributed to this upbringing that fostered a deep appreciation for his Nigerian heritage.

Interestingly, the singer also revealed another potential career path that he could have pursued – football. During his time in England, Naira Marley had the opportunity to showcase his talent by playing for Arsenal’s youth team, a testament to his versatility and multi-faceted abilities beyond music.

Naira Marley’s journey from South-East London to becoming a celebrated figure in the Nigerian music industry reflects the powerful influence of culture and upbringing in shaping one’s identity and talents. His story serves as an inspiration to many, proving that embracing one’s roots and cultural heritage can yield extraordinary results in any chosen endeavour.