Bayo Adetu was the publicist for defunct Square Records, owned by the Okoye brothers. In this exclusive interview, he reacted to May D’s recent statements in a podcast, where the artiste made allegations about his stint with P Square and their label. He told Entertainment Editor, ROTIMI IGE, what transpired between all parties, why he insisits May D is lying to the public and should tender apologies to P Square.
You were P Square’s media manager for years and witnessed May D’s acceptance into their family. What actually happened?
Everything started very well and was moving fine until the moment May D had a little taste of fame. You can fact-check me, at Square Ville, we do things in common like one big family. If P-Square is eating Isi-Ewu, everybody eats Isi-Ewu, even if you’re coming to the house for the first time, May D was not an exception. He had unrestricted access to everywhere in the house, including the Okoye brothers’ private rooms.
After spending several millions of naira and putting so much energy on his project, we presented the contract to him when we returned from P-Square’s mother’s burial in Anambra. Actually, the contract could have been given to him earlier, but because their mother was seriously sick, they couldn’t do much. Even Peter had to delay his wedding.
So, when the contract was eventually presented to May D, he told me that “why are they giving me the contract after their mother died? Shey dey want me to use eyaaa sign contract for them ni?”. He was insinuating that P-Square wanted him to sign the contract out of pity. Can you imagine? I told him that’s not true, and also advised him to remain focused as there are bigger things ahead.
May D felt he was already a star and was reluctant to sign the contract. Eventually, he started making some unrealistic demands. First, he told us he can’t sign a four-year contract because “I have already served you guys for four years.” Meanwhile, the four years he was referring to was when he was just squatting as a guy who was having accommodation problems. P-Square didn’t even know he could sing. He also requested that we must get him an apartment, precisely in Lekki Phase 1 and a brand new car from Coscharis.
You said in your post on Facebook that May D was Alaye’s driver, how did he become an artiste with Square Records?
May D was Alaye’s driver. He drove him around Lagos whenever he visited from the UK. Alaye was the UK-based rapper who featured in Temptation (remix). It was when May D had accommodation problems that Alaye introduced him to P-Square, and asked if they could assist him. They did. He was given money for his rent but came back saying the landlord refused to retain him due to the type of visitors he attracts. P-square then asked him to feel free to stay in their house till he gets another place. This was in P-Square’s rented house in Omole before building Square Ville. He spends most of the time in the studio with J Martins, so never lived with P-Square per say. He occasionally comes to squat in their house whenever he feels like and most times stays for long period each time he had a fight with his first baby mama.
It was about late 2010 when Rudeboy featured his vocal in “Shes Hot” song featuring Naeto C that they were impressed with his talent, so they considered signing him. Meanwhile, it was their childhood friend, Melvin who was in line to be signed. Melvin, Michael, Peter and Paul were the young boys from St. Murumba College in Jos who made up the dancing group, MMPP. Melvin was also staying in Square Ville.
May D insists that he was not signed as an artiste under Square Records at the time when Akon wanted him. Is this true?
He said that because he didn’t sign any papers. As a matter of fact, the claim that Akon offered him deals are untrue, at least to the best of my knowledge because he didn’t discuss anything like that with P-Square. I’m sure they’re also shocked to hear him make the claim on that podcast.
When did things begin to go sour between May D and P Square?
After Ile Ijo became a hit, followed by Chop My Money, May D’s attitude changed to everybody. He became so arrogant and pompous. I think the fame came too sudden, and unexpected, so he had issues managing the little success. Besides, excess of everything is bad, so he needs to be careful of making decisions under the influence of any substance.
Did you, at anytime, intervene between all parties when the problems began?
Yes, I did. To be honest, the Okoye brothers didn’t have any problem. It was May D’s decision to make the whole thing problematic.
I guess he thought P-Square would have to choose rather than bow to his requests in order not to lose out totally. But he was wrong.
Some days after he rejected the contract, May D called me on the phone, urging me to help him plead with Jude that he has realised his mistakes and was ready to sign the contracts. I said that’s fine, but it’s not an issue I can discuss with Jude over the phone, so I promised to see Jude on his behalf the following morning.
But unfortunately, Jude called me that same night and said I should see him urgently. I said okay, that I actually wanted to see him already, so I went to Square Ville that night.
When I entered Jude’s room, he said, ‘Bayo, please do a press statement right now that we are separated with May D with immediate effect’. I said ‘Igwe’ (as I usually call him) this is the exact reason I wanted to see you. May D called me earlier that he was sorry and is ready to sign the contract.’ I pointed it out to Jude that we have spent a lot of money on May D’s project without making a dime back yet, so he should let us have him back. But Jude said something which I really agreed with. He said a betrayer will always be a betrayer. He said if we accept him back and spend more money on him, he would still betray us, so it’s better we let him go now. I released the press statement that night.
You said that no physical legal contract was handed to May D when he was unveiled as an artiste under Square Records. Can a verbal agreement cement or bind May D’s position as a Square Records artiste, and was he paid or sponsored during his time under the label?
See, I will not want to publicly talk about the numerous personal assistance they rendered to May D. It might seem as if I’m trying to bring him down, but that’s not the case. I just want to present the whole story in the right perspective. This is the truth. Nothing but the truth. The entire cost of his project was covered by P-Square, hundred percent.
You also claimed that May D’s behaviour changed after ‘Ile Ijo’ became a hit. Why didn’t the label make his contract legally binding then, especially when his talent finally began to make money?
You see, you can force a horse to the river, but you can’t force the horse to drink from the river. We already gave him a platform and necessary resources to excel. It was a project in motion, but he decided to bring it to an abrupt stop.
What other claims by May D is false?
To be honest, I didn’t watch the entire podcast, but all the ones I saw on social media were lies. He talked about not having an account, and buying his first TV set after leaving Square Ville. Even the kitchen in Square Ville has a TV connected to DSTV.
What is the position of Square Records and what is the way forward?
It’s a good riddance to bad rubbish. A betrayer will always be a betrayer.
