Nigerian singer Mr Eazi has claimed that he turned down a potential move to Chelsea FC before former Super Eagles midfielder John Obi Mikel joined the Premier League club, offering an unexpected story about the career path he chose instead.
During an interview with Beat FM, the singer said he and Mikel were both linked to a possible move to Chelsea. According to Mr Eazi, he decided to pursue music while Mikel went on to play for the English club.
“They were gonna sign me. So it was like me and Mikel Obi,” Mr Eazi said.
The singer’s account took a humorous turn when he explained why he believed football was the better fit for Mikel, while music was the path he wanted to follow.
“I just thought that Mikel Obi is not, he doesn’t have talent as a musician. But I can do that. So I let Mikel go to Chelsea,” he said.
Mr Eazi’s remarks presented the alleged Chelsea opportunity as an example of choosing his own ambitions rather than pursuing every available path. However, his account of the potential signing has not been independently established by the material provided.
The singer then connected the story to his approach to the music industry, saying he is comfortable stepping back while other artists take centre stage.
“So with this, with the music too, I had to, like, step back, go make a couple billions and then let other people shine,” he added.
The comment offered a glimpse into how Mr Eazi described his place in the industry: pursuing his own financial and professional goals without feeling the need to dominate every moment.
He also referenced fellow Nigerian singer Seyi Vibez, jokingly describing him as a great Nigerian philosopher because of his message about allowing others to succeed.
Mr Eazi highlighted the phrase “Let your brother shine” to explain the attitude he was discussing.
John Obi Mikel, meanwhile, went on to establish a football career that included playing for Chelsea, where he spent several years and won major trophies.
Mr Eazi’s story adds an unexpected football twist to his music career narrative. His comments may raise eyebrows, but the central detail remains his own claim about a potential Chelsea opportunity—not a verified account of a formal contract offer.