Nigerian vocalist, Waje, has disclosed that she was never paid for her contribution to P-Square’s 2007 hit single “Do Me.”
The revelation came during an appearance on the HonestBunch Podcast, where the singer opened up about her early struggles in the music industry.
According to her, the collaboration that helped introduce her voice to a national audience did not come with any financial reward or formal recognition.
“I didn’t earn a dime from P-Square’s Do Me,” she stated, recalling the experience with a mix of humour and reflection.
The song, featured on P-Square’s Game Over album, became one of the biggest hits of the late 2000s, with Waje’s soulful vocals forming an integral part of its success.
Battle for recognition and public disbelief
Aituaje Iruobe also known as Waje, revealed that she often struggled to convince people that she was indeed the female voice behind the famous track.
“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,” she said.
The singer said the experience taught her the importance of proper agreements and credit in collaborations, especially for upcoming artistes trying to establish themselves.
Missed opportunities and lessons learned
Waje also revealed that she could not appear in the Do Me music video because she did not have a passport at the time of filming, a factor that further limited public recognition of her role in the hit track.
Although the incident left her feeling overlooked, she acknowledged that it became a turning point in her career, motivating her to pursue her solo path and gain full control of her creative work.
Now as one of Nigeria’s most respected vocalists, Waje said the experience remains a reminder of her humble beginnings and the challenges faced by young talents navigating the country’s evolving music industry.
