By FLORENCE AMAGIYA

Sensational R&B duo singers, Peter and Paul Okoye, need no further introduction to Nigerians. These ones have contributed immensely to the growth of the Nigerian music industry and to Africa at large.

P-Square

Their genre of music can better be described as R&B and they are the reason Nigerians still believe that group singing has its advantage. One or two of their fans still see them as the spitting likeness of the American super star, Usher Raymond, for their similar looks, pattern of dressing and style of singing.

Today, they have written songs, they are performers and their songs and albums have won lots of applause both in Nigeria and outside, and has raked in billions of naira. They are the highest-paid group and performers in Africa.

They are also the biggest spenders. They have made millions, bought expensive cars, jets, and out-of-this-world mansions, both in Nigeria and the United States. In each of their wedding ceremonies, millions were expended as the likes of Aliko Dangote; oil mogul, Foloronsho Alakija; Genevieve Nnaji; Kate Henshaw; Don Jazzy and his amiable team, were invited for the occasion.

Expensive drinks, rich and surplus food and amazing gifts items where the order of each at their wedding. We bring to you, the famous P Square’. Although, there have been some undisclosed issues between the duos, but that hasn’t crippled their strength, wealth and  fame.

Enjoy!

The identical twin brothers known as P-Square were born 33 years ago, precisely on November 18th, 1981, in Jos, Plateau state of Nigeria, although they are Ibos by tribe, from Ifite Dunu in Anambra State of Nigeria. The duos have their own record label. They are songwriters and amazing performers.

Their story started out at St. Mulumba Secondary School, where the twins were members of the school music and drama.

That was where they began singing, dancing, and mimicking songs by MC Hammer, Bobby Brown and the ever green, Michael Jackson. They produced and released their albums through Square Records. Since then, they have remained active in music production.

Along the line, they formed an a cappella quartet group called “MMMPP”, M Clef, a.k.a, Itemoh, Michael, Melvin, Peter and Paul.

Their inspiration was drawn from their music idol, Michael Jackson, hence they learnt to dance break dance and formed a group known as the “Smooth Criminals” in 1997. M Clef later dropped from the group leaving behind “MMPP”. The MMPP group was so talented and precise in their dancing routine.

It made them famous in the city of Jos, Plateau state as they performed at school functions and other occasions. When they left Secondary School, the MMPP group couldn’t thrive, but the group didn’t breakup until they went to study in different universities.

Peter and Paul in 1999 returned to music school to develop their skills on musical instruments. Today, they have had lots of soundtracks even for movies like Mama Sunday, Tobi, Moment of Bitterness and Evas River.

They also enrolled to further their education in 1999 at the University of Abuja where they studied Business Administration.

It was there the group, Smooth Criminals got dissolved as the members as its members were registered in different Universities. Peter and Paul eventually tried their hands on different stage names like the Double P, the P&P, Da Pees and finally settled for “P Square.” They were managed by Bayo Odusami, aka Howie T, a seasoned concert promoter.

Challenges/ achievements

After graduation, the twins moved into Lagos state and since they didn’t plan on using their degrees to search for jobs, they struggled to carve a niche for themselves in the music world.

They sang in events and shows for free, went from oneTV house to another, from one radio station to another, from one newspaper house to another, begging for publicity. Because they knew what they had bottled in them. Here and there, they did odd jobs to survive while praying for the big break.

They won the “Grab Da Mic” competition in 2001, and got sponsored by Benson & Hedges to launch their debut album, Last Nite. That same year, P-Square was also nominated as “Most Promising African Group” in the Kora Awards three months after the release of their debut album.

They also won the 2003 Amen Award for “Best R&B Group”. They are still the best R&B group till date. They have performed alongside some international artists like Sean Paul, Akon, Ginuwine and Busola Keshiro.

In December 2011, P Square signed a multi-million naira record contract with Akon’s Konvict Muzik label. In May 2012, they also signed another multi- million naira record distribution contract with Universal Music in South Africa.

Charity

The stars were currently in Tanzania for their world tour. And they decided to help the needy. As part of their social responsibility, they  collaborated with Vodacom foundation and donated to the less-privileged and mentally challenged in Tanzania and others that they do yearly in commemoration of their birthdays.

Properties

It is worthy of note that the twins have a way of duplicating whatever the other twin decides to buy as they are identical twins. This is seen in the purchasing and building of twins’ houses and mansions everywhere they go. One of their properties is their twin mansions worth over 500 million on Lola Holloway Street, Omole Estate Phase 1, in Lagos state. Another of their property is another twin duplex bought in the United State of American worth billion of naira.

Cars

It is not different when it comes to purchasing cars as their taste is almost alike. They have cars in the league of millions of naira. Cars such as the BMW X6, Range Rover Sports, the Jaguars, the Hummer jeeps of this world, the Prado jeeps and much more. You could actually get a filled day glancing at the beauties worth million of naira.

Clothes/ accessories and perfumes

When it comes to good clothes, perfumes, shoes and accessories, P Square do not blink when they spend millions of naira collecting them. You cannot see what they wear on any down the road boutique. Their clothes are customized for them; sometimes their colognes are customized as well. They buy their shoes from stores only the very rich can afford.