In a candid revelation, Nigerian music star Rudeboy (Paul Okoye) shared the behind-the-scenes story of his hit song “Bank Alert,” shedding light on the complex dynamics between him and his brother Peter Okoye (Mr. P), who together form the iconic duo P-Square. This insight unveils the pressures and influences that led to the song becoming a P-Square hit rather than a solo Rudeboy project.
Rudeboy disclosed that “Bank Alert” was originally intended to be a solo release. Written during a period of tension between the brothers, the song was a personal project for Paul, who claimed to have written 99% of P-Square’s songs. However, the participation of veteran Nigerian artist Onyeka Onwenu and popular actor Mr. Ibu in the video brought an unexpected twist.
“Onyeka Onwenu and Mr. Ibu played parental roles in the ‘Bank Alert’ video,” Rudeboy explained. He recalled reaching out to Onyeka Onwenu for clearance to use a sample of her song, only to face a pivotal moment when she questioned the exclusion of his brother. Despite Rudeboy’s intention to release the song under his solo moniker, Onyeka Onwenu insisted on the inclusion of Peter.
“When I told her that the song wasn’t for P-Square but for me as Rudeboy, she asked me why I was excluding my brother. I said, ‘Let’s just forget about it.’ She then brought me the clearance papers and everything since I sampled part of her song. But she made it clear that she wouldn’t participate if my brother wasn’t included,” Rudeboy recounted.
This ultimatum led to a series of events where Rudeboy began filming scenes with Mr. Ibu and even arranged for private jet scenes, still intending to keep the project as a solo effort. However, the persistence of Onyeka Onwenu and the subsequent reconciliation with Peter changed the course of the video production.
“Somehow, my brother Peter came and made peace with me,” Rudeboy continued. The director of the video, acknowledging the situation, offered to shoot the video for free as a gesture of goodwill for Peter’s sake. This magnanimous act sealed the decision to release “Bank Alert” as a P-Square song.
Rudeboy’s revelation provides a glimpse into the challenges and decisions that artists often face behind the scenes. The insistence of Onyeka Onwenu and Mr. Ibu on including Peter, coupled with the director’s generosity, ultimately transformed “Bank Alert” from a solo venture into a P-Square hit.
This story highlights the complex interplay of personal relationships, professional collaborations, and the influence of respected figures in the industry. Rudeboy’s candidness in sharing this narrative underscores the intricate journey of creativity and compromise in the world of music.
