The Nigerian music duo P-Square, comprised of twin brothers Peter and Paul Okoye, has split again, more than two years after their highly-publicized reunion. Paul, also known as Rudeboy, confirmed the separation during an interview with City FM, which was shared on YouTube on Thursday.
“P-Square is no more,” Paul stated. “Before, I didn’t say anything about it, but something happened that I began to see, and it started picking up. As it is for me now, I’m just focused on Rudeboy.”
P-Square, who began their musical career in 1999, became one of Africa’s most celebrated music acts, dominating the industry for over a decade. However, the duo initially separated in 2017 following a series of public controversies. During their time apart, both brothers pursued solo careers, with Paul releasing hits like “Fire Fire” and “Nkenji Keke,” while Peter, known as Mr P, released tracks such as “For My Head” and “Cool It Down.”
In 2021, after a four-year rift, P-Square reunited and even performed together at the Sierra Leone National Stadium in Freetown, rekindling hope among fans. However, the reconciliation was short-lived.
Issues Behind the Split
Paul revealed that their problems began in 2014 when they collaborated with American rapper T.I. on the song ‘Ejeajo.’ He explained that misconceptions about who primarily sang their songs led to internal conflicts. “These are brothers; I would say four brothers. One does the costume, and everybody has their part, and we’re playing it. Suddenly, it became something like, ‘You’ve been the one doing all the music; now you have to move; let me be the one taking care of the music.’ It became something like I was accused of saying, ‘He’s the dancer, I’m the singer,’” Paul explained.
The tension between the roles each brother played in their music further strained their relationship, contributing to their initial 2017 separation. Paul admitted that the public’s perception and comments had a significant impact on their dynamics. “Whenever I go to the airport, people say, ‘Are you the singer or the dancer?’ I didn’t know I was affecting him. But I know there was a time we came together and said, ‘Don’t let this thing get to you. You should be proud of what you’re doing,’” he said.
Attempts at Reconciliation
During their 2021 reunion, Paul sought to address these issues by encouraging a more balanced approach to their music creation. “You (Mr P) have started singing, and because I don’t want us to lose that P-Square touch, I made it clear: if we’re going to do ten songs, let five come from you (Mr P) and five from me (Rudeboy). I don’t need the stress of writing a song and then having you change the goal,” Paul recounted. Despite his efforts to maintain harmony, the reconciliation did not last.
Paul expressed his frustration over the constant inquiries about P-Square from fans whenever he released solo songs. “The new P-Square was more peaceful; there was everything we needed. But I didn’t want the same mistakes to happen again. Suddenly, he (Peter) said he was quitting. He told me to my face that he wanted to quit,” Paul disclosed.
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Legal Issues
Adding to the drama, Paul accused Peter of filing a complaint with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alleging financial misconduct. Paul claimed the EFCC investigated him for allegedly diverting P-Square’s money and for unexplained wealth. “The EFCC invited me. He (Peter) filed a complaint against my older brother (Jude) and me, and I did not expect or think it would come to this point. They (EFCC) had already printed all my account statements and everything and put them on the table. I explained,” Paul said.
Paul stated that after thorough investigations, the EFCC exonerated him of all charges. “One month ago, they (EFCC) called me, my brother (Jude), and him (Peter) and said, ‘First of all, I want to say that after all the investigation, Paul is innocent. Paul is cleared. We have investigated everything you (Peter) accused him (Paul) of, and it turns out it was just a lifestyle,’” he explained.
Moving Forward
Paul emphasized the importance of not addressing issues with anger, as it often exacerbates problems. “People should not address every issue with anger. Anger does not solve things,” he advised.
As of now, Peter has not responded to his twin brother’s claims. The latest split of P-Square has left fans disappointed, especially after the brief period of hope following their 2021 reunion. With both brothers continuing their solo careers, the future of P-Square remains uncertain.