Inspiring History, Success and Feuding of P Square Brothers

A story is told of Nigeria’s most successful singing duo, the famous P Square brothers. However, sibling rivalry still dwarfs the twin brothers Peter Okoye and Paul Okoye barely three years after reuniting. They unceremoniously separated in 2017 over a family feud and it took a lot of effort to reunite five years later. Fast forward to 2024, and the feud is back. Will it be the end of their short reunion? Only time will tell. You should know everything about the Okoye brothers musically and why they just can’t stop feuding.

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Who are Peter and Paul in P-Square?

Peter (Mr Peter) and Paul Okoye (Rudeboy) are twin brothers born and raised in Nigeria. They are the sons of pastor/businessman Moses Okoye and Josephine Okoye born on November 18, 1981. The P Square brothers grew up alongside their other siblings Lilian, Jude, Tony, Jude and Ifeanyi in Jos. They followed their parents’ footsteps as staunch Catholics and even attended a Catholic-sponsored school, St Murumba College.

The P-Square brothers Paul Okoye (Rudeboy) and Peter Okoye (Mr Peter). Photo/CNN

Although they exuded a special talent for performing arts from a young age, it was at the Catholic college where this talent was nurtured. The Okoye twins became active in the school’s drama club where they sang with inspiration from Michael Jackson and Bobby Brown. They later formed a cappella quartet that transitioned into a choreography crew that performed at big events across Jos.

Somehow, music wasn’t close to the celebrity career they both yearned for. So, the twin brothers tried their luck in football and enrolled at Pepsi Football Academy where they trained with former Chelsea star Mikel Obi. But their dream to become international football stars flopped badly and they went back to the drawing board – music and school.

How Did Their Music Journey Start?

They formed a new dancing outfit dubbed Smooth Criminal in 1997 and performed until 1999 when they joined the University of Abuja to pursue a degree in Business Administration. P-Square’s hunger for the limelight didn’t fade despite having a demanding schedule at the university. Their first order of business was to coin a stage name which took a lot of time. It started with Double P, then Da Pees, P&P and finally settled one P-Square. The P Square brothers added their first musical accolade in 2001 after winning a local singing competition in Jos called Grab Da Mic.

In 2003, they released their debut album Last Nite under Timbuk2 Music Label. Bigger doors in mainstream media opened and in 2005, they released Get Squared, their second album under their label Square Records. Fame, international recognition and wealth followed thereafter until 2017 when a family feud led to the disbandment of the group. Some of their most famous songs include the following:

Bizzy Body
Temptation
No One Like You
Ifunanya
Do Me
Roll It
Beautiful Onyiye
Personally
Danger
Collabo
Chop My Money (Remix)

The P-Square brothers Paul Okoye (Rudeboy) and Peter Okoye (Mr Peter). Photo/The Guardian Nigeria

Why are the P Square Brothers Feuding?

One of the twins, Paul is accusing his brother Paul alias Rudeboy of discrediting his musical contribution to their success. Paul in a lengthy social media post lashed out at Rudeboy for allowing Jude, their elder brother to get into his head once more. Jude served as their manager until 2017 but was accused of ‘harbouring selfish intentions’ which caused infightings between the P Square brothers.

“My dear brother Paul, just like I have told you several times, I am not in any competition with you or anybody else. However, seeing you grant countless interviews where you constantly discredit my efforts in the group that we both created and built together really speaks volumes,” his post read.

The P-Square brothers Paul Okoye (Rudeboy) and Peter Okoye (Mr Peter). Photo/Daily Post Nigeria

He adds “Every time I have spoken in interviews about P-SQUARE, I have always used “we” and “us” because I saw us as a team. But whenever you speak, it’s always “I” and “me,” even when I’m standing right beside you. It’s as if I never existed.”

Paul, 43, further lamented that Rudeboy and Jude have been working on ways to not only push him out but also humiliate him. Mr Peter questioned why Paul always takes credit for everything. Songwriting, music production, promoter, and video director among others. He said that he feels sorry for not responding to Rudeboy’s similar claims in 2015.

“I blame myself for not responding to your tweet claims in April 2015 that you wrote and sang all of P-SQUARE’s songs. I didn’t respond to these false claims for the sake of peace, as advised by family and friends, and now I am paying dearly for it.”

Following P-Square’s reunion in 2021, they returned to the music scene with Jaiye (Ihe Geme) and Find Somebody. The 100 City World Tour in 2022 announced the duo’s return with electrifying performances across major cities in Europe and North America. Unfortunately, their feuding returned before releasing a seventh album despite promising their fans an album in 2023.