One half of P square, Peter Okoye has opened up to Vanguard Allure on his life,career ,marriage and relationship with his brothers..Excerpts
How does it feel being married?
It feels great. I won’t say I’m more responsible now because I have been responsible long before getting married. I have two kids. One way marriage has changed me is, I now know what our parents went through in raising us.For me, I’m now more composed. I try not to worry too much. I’m more focused because I need to work hard to look after my family.
Has your life changed since you became a father and has it, in any way, affected you and your career?
Yes, absolutely! My life has changed but it hasn’t affected my life. I still show my six packs. I still kiss people in the crowd. I still take my semi-nude pictures, travel etc. I’m still me and it’s all still part of the business.
On singing in Igbo
Sometimes, if we don’t sing in Igbo, our people will crucify us (laughs). If you listen to P-Square, you will hear Igbo, English, Pidgin English; even French we try. For us, English is a universal language and I’m not singing in Igbo to try and please my people but I like to inculcate my culture throughmusic.
On rumours that P-Square is planning to split or has split.
Not at all. We just had a minor quarrel just like everyone who has siblings would. We fight and make-up; we fought many times last year but we still go on stage and perform and nobody knows. I can’t come out and say Paul and I have never fought.It’s like a couple who has been married for over 20 years would come out and say they have never fought. It’s impossible; we are humans. It’s anormal thing.
On rumours their brother, Jude has resigned as Psquare’s manager.
It’s the same thing; family quarrels. We argued and made-up. He didn’t resign. We are still working together and, even when we quarrel, we don’t allow it to collide with business. There is a line drawn there.
You guys portray an image of living luxurious lives with jets and lavish cars. How has this affected your image in the public eye?
It didn’t affect us. As a matter of fact, it made us even stronger. A lot of people think we are showing off but the truth is if we were not showing off, you would not know what we are worth. If you see me on okada, you won’t pay me ten million to come and do a concert. They say, everything we do – people post it; everything we have, we show off and that we are not Dangote. My dear, Dangote is not in showbiz. Whatever we do, we do because that’s the way it’s supposed to be. What we do is show-business. It’s a show and it’s business so that’s what we do.