P-Square

P-Square emerged in the early 2000s as a Nigerian sibling pop duo whose high-energy blend of R&B, hip-hop, and dance music quickly captured a wide audience. Their platinum-certified albums Get Squared in 2005, Game Over in 2007, and Danger in 2009 each delivered major hits, among them “Bizzy Body,” “No One Like You,” and “E No Easy.” In 2014 the pair collaborated with rapper T.I. on the track “EjeAjo” from the album Double Trouble, and they also served as on-screen personalities for the reality competition Dance with Peter before parting ways in 2016.

Born in Ifite Dunu, Anambra State, Nigeria, identical twins Peter Okoye and Paul Okoye first explored performance at St. Murumba secondary school, a Catholic institution in Jos, Plateau State. There they joined the music and drama club, began singing and dancing, and drew early influence from Bobby Brown, Michael Jackson, and MC Hammer. The brothers started in an a cappella quartet that later evolved into a pop-oriented dance crew, creating choreographed routines for school events. By the late ’90s they had added keyboards, bass, drums, and guitar to their abilities. After graduation they formed the duo P-Square, secured management, and won a national talent contest that brought Benson & Hedges sponsorship for their 2001 debut album Last Nite. Produced by their older brother Jude Engees Okoye, the record featured the singles “Senorita” and “Igbedu,” performed strongly, and earned a nomination for Most Promising African Group at the Kora Awards.

In 2005 P-Square launched their own Square Records label and issued the sophomore album Get Squared, whose title track, “Bizzy Body,” and “Oga Police” all became hits. Their third album, Game Over, arrived two years later and achieved platinum status worldwide with more than eight million copies sold, propelled by the single “No One Like You.” Danger followed in September 2009, also going platinum and yielding “E No Easy” with J. Martins plus “Possibility” with 2 Face Idibia; the project brought the duo the Artist of the Year honor at the Kora Awards.

The 2011 full-length Invasion included contributions from Tiwa Savage, Eva Alordiah, Muna, Akon, Rick Ross, and additional guests. Another platinum release, it earned Album of the Year and Best R&B/Pop Album at the Nigerian Headies Awards. August 2014 saw the release of “EjeAjo” with T.I., and the following month Double Trouble appeared, containing “Shekini” and “Personally” alongside guest spots from Don Jazzy, Awilo Longomba, and Jermaine Jackson. Around this period P-Square became Glo Ambassadors for the Nigerian telecommunications firm Globacom and promoted the dance-competition series Dance with Peter, though they departed after one season. In 2016 the brothers disbanded to pursue solo careers, with Peter Okoye performing as Mr. P and Paul Okoye recording as Rudeboy.