Nigerian music star Peter Okoye, popularly known as Mr P and formerly one half of the celebrated P-Square duo, has found himself at the centre of an unexpected debate among music fans following the release of his latest single, I Love You Because. The romantic record, released as part of the build-up to his forthcoming album OG Forever, was expected to generate excitement among listeners eager to hear the singer’s next chapter as a solo artiste. Instead, the song has attracted mixed reactions, with some fans openly expressing disappointment and questioning whether Mr P is still capable of producing the kind of records that once made him one of Nigeria’s most recognisable entertainers.
Mr P released I Love You Because on August 7, 2026, presenting it as another taste of his highly anticipated OG Forever project. The song arrived with an official visual and was promoted heavily across his social media platforms as another instalment from the upcoming album. The singer had previously teased the record online, asking fans to anticipate another release from the project.
The new single is markedly different from some of the high-energy dance records for which Mr P became known during his years with P-Square. Instead, I Love You Because leans towards romance, affection and emotional expression. The song focuses on the reasons a person remains committed to a loved one, with Mr P delivering a softer and more mature performance that reflects a different side of his artistry. Music publication Notjustok described the record as a romantic offering centred on devotion, appreciation and unconditional love.
However, while the song’s subject matter and production direction may have been intended to showcase Mr P’s versatility, not every listener has been convinced. Shortly after the release of the music video, some fans took to social media to express their dissatisfaction with the track. One of the comments that gained attention was the blunt remark, “This thing no dey work again,” reflecting a wider sentiment among some listeners that the singer’s recent musical output has not matched the standards associated with his earlier career.
The criticism is significant because of the enormous expectations attached to Mr P’s name. As a member of P-Square alongside his twin brother Paul Okoye, now known as Rudeboy, Peter was part of one of Africa’s most commercially successful music partnerships. Together, the brothers produced songs that dominated Nigerian radio and dance floors and built a fan base that extended across Africa and beyond.
P-Square’s success was driven by a combination of energetic performances, elaborate music videos, dance-oriented records and a distinctive chemistry between the brothers. Their catalogue included songs that became major hits and helped establish them as household names in African popular music. Consequently, whenever either brother releases new material, comparisons with their peak P-Square years are almost inevitable.
For Mr P, the challenge is particularly complicated because his solo career requires him to establish a musical identity independent of the group that made him famous. Since P-Square’s separation, he has released solo music and developed his own sound, but a section of the audience continues to measure his output against the chemistry, commercial success and musical energy of the duo.
His latest single therefore arrives under considerable pressure. Rather than simply being judged as a new love song, I Love You Because is being evaluated against decades of musical history and the expectations of fans who remember Mr P as part of one of Nigeria’s most formidable musical acts.
DDM News reports that the backlash should not necessarily be interpreted as universal rejection of the song. Other listeners have praised the record, particularly its emotional character and Mr P’s vocal delivery. Some fans have also interpreted the song and its accompanying visuals as a personal tribute to his wife, Lola Omotayo-Okoye.
That interpretation gained additional attention following the release of the official music video. According to reports, the closing moments of the video feature a portrait of Lola, giving the romantic song a more personal dimension and suggesting that the record may have been inspired, at least in part, by his relationship with his wife.
The decision to dedicate such a song to love and family is also notable because Mr P has spent much of the past few weeks in the middle of intense public conversations surrounding his own family. His relationship with his brothers and the unresolved issues surrounding the P-Square brand and catalogue have once again become a major subject of public attention.
In recent weeks, Peter has released a series of videos in which he has made allegations concerning his elder brother and former P-Square manager, Jude Okoye. Peter has alleged financial irregularities involving royalties and the management of P-Square’s business interests, claims that Jude has denied. The dispute has escalated into a wider argument concerning the ownership and management of the P-Square catalogue and related companies.
Peter reportedly released a seven-part video series detailing his allegations, including claims involving more than $1.2 million in royalties. Jude, however, has rejected the allegations and responded with his own account, disputing Peter’s claims and insisting that the group’s financial affairs were properly documented. The figures and allegations remain contested, making it important to distinguish Peter’s claims from established facts.
The family dispute has ensured that almost every major development involving Mr P is now viewed through a wider lens. Even his music releases are being discussed alongside the continuing P-Square controversy. His decision to release a romantic song at a time when he has been publicly discussing painful family and business issues creates an interesting contrast between the private emotions expressed in his music and the public conflict surrounding his family.
Interestingly, Peter’s commercial activities outside music have also attracted attention. On August 10, 2026, he celebrated his fans after reporting that nearly 3,000 units of his Red ZR Cap had been sold within one week. He expressed surprise and gratitude over the strong response, describing the sales as an unexpected milestone.
This indicates that despite criticism surrounding his latest music, Mr P continues to maintain a significant and engaged audience. His ability to mobilise fans beyond music demonstrates that the public interest in his personality and brand remains strong.
The release of I Love You Because is also an important step towards OG Forever, his next major solo album. The project is expected to become his most significant musical statement since The Prodigal, which was released in 2021. Mr P had earlier indicated that he planned to release two or three singles ahead of the album, meaning that I Love You Because is part of a broader rollout rather than an isolated release.
The singer has also previously released or announced I Can’t Look Away as another record associated with the forthcoming project. Together, the singles are intended to introduce listeners to the sound and direction of OG Forever before the full album arrives later in 2026.
The criticism surrounding I Love You Because therefore comes at a crucial moment in Mr P’s career. If the album is to succeed on a major scale, he will need to convince both loyal supporters and sceptical listeners that his solo artistry still has something fresh to offer.
For some fans, the answer may simply be that the expectations are too high. Artists who have achieved enormous success early in their careers often find themselves competing with their own history. A new song can be perfectly competent on its own terms and still be judged harshly if listeners expect another Personally, Chop My Money or one of the many P-Square-era records that defined their youth.
For others, however, the criticism may represent a genuine demand for evolution. Modern Afrobeats has changed dramatically, with new generations of artistes introducing different sounds, production styles and approaches to songwriting. Mr P, now an established veteran, faces the challenge of remaining relevant without abandoning the identity that made him successful.
DDM News understands that the mixed reception to I Love You Because does not necessarily determine the fate of OG Forever. Music audiences can respond differently to individual singles and full albums, and a song that initially receives criticism can sometimes gain popularity after repeated listening. The forthcoming album will ultimately provide a broader picture of the creative direction Mr P is pursuing.
For now, the controversy surrounding the single has achieved one thing that every music release needs: it has generated conversation. Fans are debating the quality of the record, discussing Mr P’s evolution and comparing his present sound with the music that established his legacy.
Whether the comment “This thing no dey work again” becomes a reflection of a wider shift in public opinion or simply another example of the demanding nature of today’s music audience remains to be seen. What is clear is that Mr P is not standing still. Between his new music, his upcoming OG Forever album, his growing business ventures and the continuing family dispute surrounding P-Square, the singer remains firmly in the public eye.
Ultimately, the success or failure of I Love You Because will not be determined by a handful of social media comments. It will be measured by how listeners respond over time, whether the song gains traction on streaming platforms and whether OG Forever succeeds in reconnecting Mr P with the audience that has followed him from the P-Square era into his solo career.
For an artiste with such a long and influential history, the conversation surrounding the new single may therefore be less about whether Mr P has “stopped working” and more about whether the veteran star can successfully reinvent himself for a new musical era while preserving the qualities that made his name synonymous with Nigerian pop music.
