P-Square brothers wanted to be footballers but music happened

• P-Square twin brothers Peter and Paul Okoye always wanted to be footballers
• The duo said football was always enchanting for them
• But music was something that would give them international recognition

Nigeria musical duo, the P-Square twin brothers Peter and Paul Okoye always wanted to be footballers but gave up their dream a little too early for music.

The duo said football was always enchanting for them in Jos, Plateau State where they grew up. Here, football was a way of life and they played at the Pepsi Academy together with legendary footballer Mike Obi.

Paul narrated that he was a goalkeeper while Peter was an outstanding player. However, age and the allure of music making them international celebrities always played out.

“We played football. Peter played with Mikel [Obi] in Pepsi Academy. I was a keeper, but I gave up because I could tell age was coming. But then Nigeria won this football, Atlanta Olympic 96′ I think. And when they won the competition, we saw what the then-president gave the footballers; we dropped our mics and went back to soccer,” P-Square told CNN.

“But remember, at the same time we were having this situation whereby I was playing for Pepsi Academy. So, if we were trying to wear boots, and I’m like, ‘I’m gonna remain local. Entertainment is about to take me international.  God has a reason like, if I was playing football today, five years ago, I would have retired. But today, we are still doing music,” Peter noted.

P-Square duo from Nigeria. Photo/GHGossip

WHEN DID P-SQUARE START SINGING?

P-Square started singing in 2003 and quickly became the African superstars of Naija music. They released popular bangers like Ifunanya, Do Me, Beautiful Onyinye, No One Like You, Personally, E No Easy among others.

They were the new era of RnB-Afrobeats-infused music taking in the footsteps of the legendary Fela Kuti. For 14 years, they inspired many artist in and out of Nigeria to do music.

WHICH MUSIC AWARDS HAVE P-SQUARE WON?

Giving up the football dream for music turned out to be a great move for the duo Naija artists. They won multiple music awards between 2003 and 2017. Here are the awards:

• Amen Award for Best R&B Group (2003)
• Channel O Music Video Award for Best Duo/Group (2005)
• MTV Africa Music Award for Best Group (2006)
• Channel O Music Video Award for Best Duo/Group (2007)
• MTV Africa Music Award for Best Group (2007)
• MOBO Award for Best African Act (2008)
• MTV Africa Music Award for Best Group (2008)
• MTV Africa Music Award for Best Group (2009)
• Kora Awards for Best African Artiste (2010)
• MTV Africa Music Award for Best Group (2010)
• Dynamix All Youth Awards for Best Music Group (2010)
• City People Entertainment Awards for Best Group of the Year (2011)
• Kora Awards for Best African Artiste (2012)
• City People Entertainment Awards for Best Group of the Year (2012)
• Nigeria Entertainment Awards for Best Group of the Year (2013)
• MTV Africa Music Award for Best Group (2013)
• City People Entertainment Awards for Best Group of the Year (2013)
• Nigeria Entertainment Awards for Best Group of the Year (2014)
• MTV Africa Music Award for Best Group (2014)
• City People Entertainment Awards for Best Group of the Year (2014)
• City People Entertainment Awards for Best Group of the Year (2015)
• City People Entertainment Awards for Best Group of the Year (2016)
• City People Entertainment Awards for Best Group of the Year (2017)

P-Square. Photo/Capital News

WHY DID P-SQUARE BREAK UP?

Fourteen years of making amazing music abruptly ended for P-Square after splitting in 2017. One of the reasons why the duo split was sustained disagreements on the creative path to follow in regard to the choice of music and their brand. Moreover, they had personal differences which weakened their musical bond.

They constantly disagreed over money their elder brother Jude Okoye was at the centre of it all. He was accused of furthering the rift between the duo which led to a complete breakdown of communication between them.

Lastly, P-Square brother thought it was time to go solo as a move to explore creative freedom. After a four-year split, the duo reunited after years of brokering a truce between them. By then, Paul was pursuing his solo music career as Rudeboy and released popular hits like Woman, Chizoba, Reality, Reason With Me, Fire Fire, and Together among others.