Why I now focus more on singing than dancing — Rudeboy

Nigerian singer and songwriter Paul Okoye, popularly known as Rudeboy, has explained why he now prioritises singing over dancing during performances, saying age and the need to conserve energy have influenced his approach to music.

The former P-Square member said although dancing played an important role in his musical journey, he had become more deliberate about his stage performances to ensure he delivered quality vocals.

Rudeboy made the remarks during an interview with Luna Lifestyle TV in Zambia, where he performed in Ndola over the weekend.

Asked whether he considered himself a better dancer or singer, the artiste identified singing and songwriting as his major strengths, while acknowledging his experience as a dancer.

“I’m a very good singer and songwriter. I’m everything music. Dance, first of all, I dance, but I think when I was young, that was the energy that was there,” he said.

Why Rudeboy is reducing dance routines

The singer explained that his approach to performing had changed as he grew older, noting that elaborate dance routines could affect his ability to deliver vocals effectively on stage.

According to him, conserving energy has become increasingly important because dancing throughout a performance could leave him exhausted and affect his singing.

“As I get older and I start singing, I realise dancing can take your energy, which might not make you perform well. No, I don’t need that, so you pace yourself,” he added.

Rudeboy also recalled his early involvement in dancing, explaining that he joined a dance group established by his elder brother, Jude Okoye, before becoming widely recognised for his vocals and songwriting.

He said dancing was an integral part of his development as an entertainer and contributed to the performance style that helped P-Square establish itself as one of Nigeria’s leading music groups.

The singer also recalled how he and his twin brother, Peter Okoye, popularly known as Mr P, recognised the importance of choreography in making their live performances more engaging.

Their combination of vocals, synchronised dance routines and elaborate music videos became a defining feature of their performances during their rise to fame.

‘We kicked that door’ — Rudeboy on African music

Beyond his personal performance style, Rudeboy reflected on the evolution of African music and the contribution his generation made towards securing greater international recognition for Nigerian artistes.

He argued that African musicians who embraced their languages and cultural identities helped create a distinctive sound that attracted audiences beyond the continent.

Reflecting on P-Square’s contribution, the singer said his generation helped challenge the perception that African performers should occupy supporting positions whenever international artistes visited the continent.

“We’re the one that kicked that door,” he said, referring to the efforts of African musicians to improve the visibility and recognition of performers from the continent.

Rudeboy also highlighted the importance the group attached to music videos, explaining that production quality was central to their ambition to compete with international artistes.

He recalled that producing videos to meet international standards required significant financial investment, particularly when the group began shooting in South Africa using expensive film equipment.

According to him, the group’s commitment to quality visuals formed part of its broader effort to establish Nigerian music as a competitive force in the international entertainment industry.

Social media has reduced artistes’ privacy

The singer also criticised the pressure on musicians to maintain constant visibility on social media, arguing that the development has reduced the privacy artistes enjoyed in the past.

He said musicians previously maintained some distance from their fans, who primarily encountered them through music videos, interviews and public appearances.

However, the growth of social media has changed that relationship by giving audiences access to more aspects of celebrities’ everyday lives.

Rudeboy described the situation using the Nigerian expression ‘see finish’, which refers to becoming overly familiar with someone to the point of diminishing their perceived value or respect.

“Social media, I think I call it Nigerian language, call it ‘see finish’. You know what ‘see finish’ means? Like, it finishes you, like you are too exposed,” he said.

His comments suggest that the increasing demand for online visibility can make it difficult for entertainers to maintain boundaries between their professional careers and private lives.

Rudeboy raises concerns about artificial intelligence in music

The former P-Square member also expressed concern about the growing use of artificial intelligence in music production, questioning whether the technology could undermine originality and threaten the livelihoods of creative professionals.

“Where is the content? Where’s the originality?” he asked while discussing the increasing use of AI tools to generate songs.

He argued that the technology could reduce demand for songwriters, music producers, graphic designers and video professionals by enabling users to create content with minimal human input.

“You see how people are losing their jobs. You don’t need a producer, you don’t need a songwriter, you don’t need a graphic designer. Okay, you don’t even need a video anymore,” he said.

The singer further suggested that the ease of generating music through AI tools could contribute to the production of songs that struggle to remain relevant over time.

“That is why music nowadays doesn’t last,” he said, contrasting AI-assisted production with songwriting driven by personal experiences, emotions and creativity.

His comments come months after his twin brother, Mr P, faced online allegations that artificial intelligence may have been used in his June 2026 comeback single, ‘I Can’t Look Away’.

Following the song’s release, some social media users, music producers and commentators alleged that it displayed characteristics associated with generative AI or Suno-style vocal and melodic patterns. The allegations, however, were not established as facts in the report.

P-Square’s longstanding disagreements

Rudeboy’s latest comments come amid renewed public attention on his strained relationship with Peter and disagreements over their respective contributions to P-Square.

In a 2024 interview with City FM, Rudeboy addressed criticism that he had reduced his twin brother’s contribution to the group to dancing while presenting himself as the singer.

“I was being accused of saying that he [Peter] was the dancer and I’m the singer. I know whenever we go to the airport, people ask, ‘Are you a singer or a dancer?’ I didn’t know it was touching him,” he said.

He added that the brothers had previously discussed how to respond to questions about their individual roles, saying he had encouraged Peter to take pride in his contribution to the group.

The issue resurfaced in January 2026 when Rudeboy reportedly declined a fan’s request to dance more in his videos, saying he was a singer and was too old for the activity.

The remarks attracted criticism from some fans who remembered P-Square for combining vocal performances with elaborate choreography.

Rudeboy and Peter rose to prominence in the 2000s as members of P-Square, building a successful career around hit songs, coordinated dance routines and high-quality music videos.

Their popular songs include ‘Do Me’, ‘Busy Body’ and ‘Temptation’, which helped establish their reputation as one of Nigeria’s most successful music duos.

The brothers first separated in 2017 following disagreements involving family relationships, creative differences and management. They reunited in 2021 but split again by 2024, with their disagreements subsequently playing out in public.

The dispute intensified in 2026 after Peter alleged financial misconduct against Jude, who managed the group. The allegations included claims concerning royalties, business arrangements and access to financial records. Jude has denied wrongdoing, while the matters remain subject to legal proceedings.

Despite the continuing disagreements, Rudeboy’s latest remarks have offered insight into his approach to performing, his views on the changing music industry and his concerns about technology’s growing influence on creative work.