How I was chased from stage because of P-Square – Flavour

Nigerian highlife singer Flavour N’abania, whose real name is Chinedu Okoli, has recalled a humbling episode from the early stage of his music career when he was asked to leave a performance stage to make way for the then-popular music duo P-Square. 

According to Flavour, the incident occurred at a time when he was still trying to establish himself as a solo artiste after spending years performing with a band.

He had transitioned from being a church drummer and choir conductor into the live music circuit, where he performed at different events and entertainment venues while building his own identity as an artiste.

Flavour explained that he had been performing at an event when P-Square arrived. The atmosphere reportedly changed immediately, as the audience became more excited about the arrival of the established duo.

The singer said the event manager eventually asked him to leave the stage so that P-Square could perform.

Rather than allowing the experience to discourage him, Flavour said watching P-Square’s performance became an important learning moment in his career.

He observed that the duo’s approach to music was different from what he had previously known. Their ability to create their own sound, record it professionally and connect with audiences made him realise that he needed to develop beyond simply being a talented live performer.

Flavour had previously recounted that he spent about 13 years with a band before venturing into the streets as a solo performer. He described the transition as difficult because he had gone from a structured musical environment into a highly competitive entertainment industry. 

He eventually developed his own musical identity, blending highlife with contemporary African pop sounds, and went on to become one of Nigeria’s most recognisable highlife artistes.

The experience with P-Square therefore became more than an embarrassing moment for the singer. It served as a turning point that helped him understand the importance of creating original music and developing a distinctive identity.

Flavour’s story also highlights the unpredictable nature of the entertainment industry, where established stars can dominate a stage one day while emerging artistes struggle to get noticed.

Years later, the singer who was once asked to give up the stage for P-Square had established himself as a major Nigerian music star in his own right.

The episode has consequently become part of Flavour’s larger story of persistence, growth and eventual success in the Nigerian music industry.