Nigerian singer and songwriter Obumneme Ali, popularly known as Smash from the music duo Bracket, has weighed in on the long-standing rift between iconic twin brothers Peter and Paul Okoye, famously known as P-Square.
Speaking during a recent episode of the AFRIMMA Podcast, Smash described the feud between the Okoye brothers as deeper than ordinary disagreements, claiming it has “spiritual” undertones.
Smash explained that although he is personally closer to Paul, he maintains a relationship with both brothers and has often tried to mediate in their conflict.
He recounted conversations he had with the brothers, particularly Paul, about the unusual nature of their fallout.
“I’m closer to Paul than Peter but I always go to Peter’s house and he listens to me whenever I speak to him. But unfortunately, if you ask me as an in-house, I will say that problem is spiritual,” Smash stated.
He added that even Paul himself admitted that their issues went beyond the ordinary.
“The last time I met Paul, I told him his problem with his brother Peter wasn’t normal, that it’s spiritual, and he agreed. If you know how close these guys were and how they worked, you will feel so bad looking at what is going on today. Jude was part of P-Square. Paul and Peter, they loved that brand with so much passion.”
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P-Square, made up of identical twins Peter and Paul Okoye, was one of Africa’s biggest musical acts in the 2000s and 2010s. With hit songs like Do Me, Personally, Beautiful Onyinye, and Chop My Money, they dominated charts across the continent and performed on some of the world’s biggest stages.
Managed by their elder brother Jude Okoye, P-Square became a household name, known for their electrifying stage performances and seamless harmonies. However, their unity began to unravel around 2016 when reports of internal disagreements, particularly over management and family interference, surfaced.
The split shocked fans across Africa and beyond, as the twins went their separate ways to pursue solo careers as Mr P (Peter Okoye) and Rudeboy (Paul Okoye).
Over the years, several industry figures and friends of the brothers have tried to intervene. Their reunion in 2021 was welcomed with excitement by fans who had missed their joint performances. However, speculation about underlying tensions has never completely disappeared.
Smash’s comments appear to reflect the deep disappointment many insiders feel when they look at how the once-united duo drifted apart despite their undeniable bond.
Brackets themselves are no strangers to longevity in the Nigerian music industry. Made up of Vast and Smash, the duo broke into the limelight with hits like Yori Yori and Ada Owerri. They have remained close collaborators over the years, making Smash’s perspective particularly poignant.
By describing the P-Square feud as spiritual, Smash touches on a broader cultural context in Nigeria where interpersonal conflicts are sometimes believed to have metaphysical roots. For many fans, this adds another layer of mystery to the highly publicised rift.
Read Also: We gave it a shot, but it failed, Peter explains P-Square split
Despite the turbulence, P-Square continues to command respect as one of Africa’s most successful music exports. Their influence remains unmatched, with many younger artists citing them as inspirations.
For fans, Smash’s revelation will likely rekindle conversations about the twins’ relationship and the possibility of sustaining their reunion beyond occasional performances. Many still hold out hope that the brothers will fully put aside their differences and rebuild their bond, both as family and as a music brand.
As Smash put it, the closeness Peter and Paul once shared was remarkable, and watching them struggle to reconcile remains painful for those who knew them at their peak.
