Nigerian Afrobeat superstar Peter Okoye, widely known as Mr P and one-half of the defunct P-Square duo, has replied strongly against critics who calls for him to retire from Afrobeats, insisting there is no age limit in the music industry.
The 44 year-old musician made the remarks during a recent interview with newsmen in response to some fans who allegedly claim he should step aside, while emphasizing that he is too old to continue in the genre.
Mr P dismissed the claim as attempts to undermine his career.
“There is no retirement in music,” he declared, adding that such demands reflect a troubling pattern in Nigeria where successful artists are prematurely pressured to exit the spotlight.
He cited the late global superstar Michael Jackson, who was still recording music and planning a major world tour in his fifties before his death in 2009.
In his words, Mr P lauded Michael Jackson’s dedication to music and proves that passion for music does not fade with age.
“We should be careful of how people try to put others down,” he warned.
“I don’t know why some people think there’s retirement in music. It’s only in Nigeria that somebody would just wake up and start calling on musicians to retire. I have seen some people do the same thing to Wizkid.” He added.
Mr P, who has continued to release solo music and perform after P-Square’s split, urged fans and critics to focus on supporting artists rather than hastening their downfall.
His comments have reignited conversations about career longevity, relevance, and respect for veteran talents in Nigeria’s dynamic music industry.
At 44, the entertainer remains active, contributing to the evolution of Afrobeats, a genre he helped take to global stages alongside his brother, Paul Okoye (Rudeboy).
