Waje Reveals She Was Never Paid for P-Square’s Hit Song “Do Me”

A reminder of how many unsung voices shaped Nigeria’s music golden era

Nigerian powerhouse vocalist Waje has revealed that she never received a dime for her unforgettable contribution to P-Square’s 2007 smash hit “Do Me.”

The singer made the revelation during an appearance on the HonestBunch Podcast, where she reflected on her early struggles in the industry and how her voice helped shape one of Nigeria’s most iconic Afrobeats songs.

Speaking candidly, the 45-year-old singer said:

“I didn’t earn a dime from P-Square’s ‘Do Me.’”

Waje — born Aituaje Iruobe — was the unmistakable female voice behind the catchy chorus that helped catapult P-Square’s Game Over album into national stardom. Yet, despite her contribution, she was neither officially credited nor featured in the song’s music video.

Recalling the disbelief she faced, she shared,

“Imagine being in Onitsha market and telling people that’s my voice every time ‘Do Me’ is played, and they look at you like, who are you? They didn’t believe me.”

At the time, Waje said she missed appearing in the music video because she didn’t have a passport — a simple but costly detail that underscored how early-career struggles can shadow even immense talent.

Opinion: The Unpaid Voices Behind the Hits

Waje’s revelation is more than just a confession — it’s a mirror of Nigeria’s early music industry, where talent often bloomed without protection. Many artists who lent their voices to defining tracks of that era were never properly compensated or credited.

It’s a sobering reminder that the glamour of Afrobeats today was built on the backs of many unrecognized voices — artists like Waje, whose powerful vocals made history even when the industry wasn’t ready to value them.

Her story also serves as a lesson to rising stars: beyond passion, contracts and credit matter.
And to the fans, it’s a call to remember — behind every hit, there’s a voice that deserves to be heard and respected.