20 years ago, legendary music duo P-Square released their second album ‘Get Squared’.
At the time of the release, the identical twins had already gained mainstream attention thanks to the hit single ‘Senorita’ from their debut album‘Last Nite’.
With fame beckoning, they claimed it with both hands with a sophomore hit-filled project that would rocket them to stardom.
All the tracks on the album found a ready audience who embraced P Square’s bold interpretation of hip hop and R&B with flashy music videos that offer Nigerian listeners a quality local variant of the American music dominating that era.
From sharing their journey to fame and their desire for stardom on the album opener to vibrantly summoning listeners to the dancefloor on ‘Bizzy Body’ through an electrifying blend of Dancehall and Hip Hop, P Square made a hit-filled multi-genre album.
They beautifully captured youthful romantic complexities through the R&B hits ‘Say Your Love’, ‘Temptation’, and ‘Omoge MI’ that had listeners reeling in imaginary heartbreak.
The songs held stellar R&B elements that shine in the writing, melodies, and production, greatly influenced by the works of era-defining stars like Joe, Usher,and Craig David.
‘Omoge Mi’ and ‘Bizzy Body’ would introduce listeners to the soothing lyrics of a singer named Waje, whose talent would be felt more elaborately on their smash hit ‘Do Me’ and in her successful career as a shining vocalist.
While P Square dominated the scenes with hit singles, what further set the duo apart and ensured their speedy rise to fame was the music videos that perfectly communicated the superstardom they craved.
In the visuals ‘Temptation’, they showcased the fashion of American hip hop stars for a video that draws inspiration from American rap videos.
Drawing inspiration from the iconic moves of Micheal Jackson, which inspired the 2000s R&B star, Usher, P Square delivered expertly choreographed dance moves in the music video for their hit hip-hop track ‘Get Squared’, which added depth to their artistry and endeared to a generation witnessing an achieved interpretation of popular American mainstream black music.
Their music and the accompanying dance moves became the highlight of parties and events as young listeners dreamily found a familiar inspiration that awakened the fire lit by Michael Jackson in all those touched by his work.
‘Get Squared’ is a classic that shaped a generation and propelled the commerciality of Nigerian pop music by offering listeners a qualitative and rich local interpretation of American R&B and hip-hop music.
The writing and delivery were modern and captured the sensibilities, yearnings, and thoughts of a new generation.
The delivery and visuals carried a quality that Nigerian listeners mostly found in foreign material. The album redefined what it means to be a Nigerian pop star.
