Alex Iwobi, or 17, as he’s known when the boots come off and the headphones come on, is rewriting the playbook on what it means to be a modern African creative. Today, the Nigerian International and Fulham midfielder officially levels up, dropping his debut 9-track EP, “More To Life.’
Following a steady build-up in 2025 with heavy-hitters like “Hop Out” featuring the heavyweights ODUMODUBLVCK and Ramz, 17 is no longer just “the footballer who raps”, but a legitimate artist carving out a lane where luxury rap meets the grit of East London and the rhythmic soul of Lagos.
Produced entirely by EM1X, “More To Life” is a polished, high-end journey through the diaspora. It’s an eclectic marriage of Afrowave, UK Drill, and Afrobeats, anchored by 17’s quietly confident delivery. The project earns its keep with standout features from Nigerian rising artist, Fido, and a surprising, chemistry-filled appearance from fellow Premier League star Amadou Onana under his alias 24AM.
The title serves as a manifesto. For 17, this project is a rejection of the “shut up and dribble” narrative. It’s a glimpse into a life defined by faith, fashion, and a deep-seated need for expression that a stadium can’t always contain.
“‘More To Life’ is me saying quite simply that there’s more to life than just doing one job, or one thing. In my case, there’s more to my life than just football. So whether that’s music, football, fashion or charity, there are a lot of things that are personally important to me. “It’s also me reminding myself and other people that there are no restrictions on what you can do in life, if you want to explore and do things, don’t be afraid to do so!”
From joining UEFA’s “Off Pitch” to making history as the first single released by a Premier League athlete with his debut single “Don’t Shoot“, 17 has spent the last year proving his versatility. Whether he’s threading passes at Craven Cottage or dropping bars over luxury production, the mission remains the same: total creative freedom.
With “More To Life”, 17 is establishing a new standard for the multi-hyphenate African athlete.
Stream “More To Life” now on all platforms.
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