Afrobeats singer Mr Eazi has claimed that Chelsea FC wanted to sign him before the English Premier League club secured the services of former Super Eagles captain Mikel Obi, saying he chose to pursue music instead of a football career.
The singer made the disclosure during an interview on The Beat FM on Wednesday, where he recounted how he and Mikel were linked to a possible move to the London club.
According to Mr Eze, he believed Mikel was better suited to football, while his own talents and ambitions were better aligned with music.
“They were gonna sign me. So, it was like Mikel Obi and me,” Mr Eazi said during the interview.
Mr Eazi also connected his account of the alleged football opportunity to his broader philosophy about success in the music industry, where he said he sometimes allows others to take the spotlight while pursuing his own ambitions.
“So with this, with the music too, I had to, like, step back, go make a couple billions and then let other people shine,” the singer added.
He referenced fellow Nigerian singer Seyi Vibez, whom he jokingly described as a great Nigerian philosopher, for popularising the expression, “Let your brother shine”.
According to Mr Eazi, the phrase reflects his willingness to let others enjoy recognition while he focuses on his own objectives.
Mikel eventually joined Chelsea in 2006 and went on to spend 11 years at the club, establishing himself as an important member of the team during one of its most successful periods.
During his time at Stamford Bridge, the former Nigeria international won two Premier League titles and four FA Cups, as well as the UEFA Champions League trophy in 2012.
He also represented Nigeria at international level, captaining the Super Eagles during his career.
Mr Eazi, meanwhile, has established himself as one of Africa’s prominent music exports, building a career in Afrobeats alongside business ventures and contributions to the genre’s international growth.
