Popular Nigerian singer Paul Okoye, better known as Rudeboy, has shared the surprising story of how a performance at a brothel changed the course of his life and pushed him away from gospel music.
Speaking during an interview with Yanga FM Nigeria, the former P-Square star revealed that he started singing in the church choir as a child because his mother was a pastor and everyone expected him to follow a religious path.
According to him, his life took an unexpected turn after a friend invited him to perform at an event, promising to pay him ₦300.
Earlier that same day, Rudeboy said he had spent hours singing for adults in church before preaching to children later in the evening.
Unknown to him, the venue where he was headed was a brothel.
“When I got there, I realised it was an ashawo joint,” he recalled with a laugh.
After performing, he said the audience appreciated his performance so much that someone gave him ₦800, while his friend still paid him the promised ₦300.
For the young singer, the money was far more than he had ever received from performing in church.
“That was where my life changed,” he said.
“I sang for the adults from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., then for the children from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. From there I went to perform at an ashawo joint. That performance changed everything.”
The experience, he said, convinced him to pursue secular music professionally.
Rudeboy later rose to fame as one-half of the legendary music duo P-Square alongside his twin brother, Mr P. Since the group’s split, he has continued his solo career under the stage name Rudeboy.
