“P-Square Saga Deepens: Rudeboy Accuses Mr. P of Song Theft”
The longstanding feud between Nigerian twin brothers Peter and Paul Okoye, formerly known as the iconic music duo P-Square, took another dramatic turn on Friday.
Paul, popularly known as Rudeboy, voiced his frustration, accusing his twin brother Peter (Mr. P) of re-recording his song, “Winning,” word for word. The track, according to Rudeboy, was intended to feature on his upcoming album, scheduled for release in June next year.
This latest clash follows a report in August by PREMIUM TIMES highlighting the resurgence of tension between the brothers, despite earlier hopes for reconciliation.
In an interview with City FM, Rudeboy confirmed that P-Square, the group that reigned over the African music scene for more than a decade, no longer exists. While addressing the split, he made allegations of misconduct against Mr. P, which sparked a heated response.
Mr. P, in turn, took to Instagram, denying the accusations and alleging that Rudeboy, along with their elder brother Jude, had mismanaged P-Square’s funds.
The dispute has now escalated further with Rudeboy’s claims of song theft, adding fuel to the fire of an already strained relationship. The track in question, “Winning,” was reportedly envisioned as a pivotal piece of their reunion and comeback album.
“Rudeboy vs. Mr. P: Dispute Over ‘Winning’ Intensifies as Accusations Fly”
The conflict between the Okoye brothers took another turn on Friday after Peter Okoye, known as Mr. P, announced the release of his new single, Winning, on streaming platforms. He also revealed that the song’s music video, produced by Vampire Craze, is set to premiere on November 8, 2024.
However, shortly after Mr. P’s announcement, his twin brother Paul, known as Rudeboy, claimed ownership of the song on Instagram.
“Song title: Winning; written and sung by Rudeboy and produced by the same producer,” Rudeboy posted, asserting his authorship.
According to Rudeboy, Winning was one of six tracks he submitted in 2021 for P-Square’s reunion album, Reactivated. The album, released in November 2021, was a compilation of 20 songs sourced from both brothers’ solo projects during their time apart. Although highly anticipated, the album failed to make a significant impact.
During their split, the twins pursued solo careers. Paul (Rudeboy) released hits like Fire Fire and Nkenji Keke, while Peter (Mr. P) delivered tracks such as For My Head and Cool It Down.
The latest dispute adds to the growing tension between the brothers, with Rudeboy questioning the ethics behind releasing Winning under Mr. P’s name. Fans of the duo remain divided, hoping for a resolution to the ongoing saga.
his newspaper reported that Paul Okoye, known as Rudeboy, revealed during an August interview on City FM that he and his twin brother Peter (Mr. P) had agreed to contribute an equal number of songs to ensure balance in their planned P-Square album following their reconciliation.
Rudeboy explained that this decision stemmed from fans constantly inquiring about P-Square whenever he released solo music. However, he accused Mr. P of undermining their agreement by re-recording one of his contributions, Winning, without his consent.
“Now, how come?” Rudeboy questioned on Instagram. “Am I supposed to release another version? Mr. Producer, your case na for another day. Just a simple thing: bring six songs, let me bring six songs, and submit my six songs to the so-called management. Why ‘re-singing’ my own song word for word, a song that was supposed to be in my album next year in June.”
In another post, Rudeboy threatened to release the “original versions” of any copied songs.
“The days of manipulation are over,” he wrote. “And to the management, make I hear any song wey na only me sing, I go release the original version. Oloriburuku! Music is not that hard.”
Adding to his post, Rudeboy promoted his solo work, saying, “Attention, audio out on all music platforms; make sure you subscribe to my YouTube channel after listening. One love.”
The rift between the 42-year-old twin brothers, who began their music careers in 1999, has been tumultuous. They first separated in 2017 after a four-year feud that saw them embroiled in public controversies, alienating colleagues and fans. Their reunion in 2021 was a highly celebrated event, but tensions have resurfaced.
As of press time, neither Mr. P nor his management has responded to Rudeboy’s allegations.
