If you were into Nigerian music in the early 2000s, there’s no way you missed Angel of My Life by Paul Play Dairo. It was THE love song of the moment—one of those tracks that just hit you in all the right places. He seemed destined for stardom, but not long after his rise to fame, he faded from the scene. So, what happened to Paul Play? Let’s take a trip down memory lane.
Paul Play, The Man Behind the Hit
Paul Play Dairo wasn’t just any musician; music literally runs in his blood. His father, IK Dairo, is a Juju music legend in Nigeria. But instead of sticking with his dad’s genre, Paul Play made his own way, mixing R&B and Afro-pop into something fresh and exciting.
In an interview with the Punch newspaper, he said, “My father’s music career had little or no influence on my career path. He did not even know about my interest in music for years until his manager told him. All my father wanted was for us (his children) to be serious with our academics, so I kept it a secret.”
He first made waves with his album Hitsville, and Angel of My Life shot him to superstardom. From that same album, we got more hits like Forever and You and Me.
Now, back to Angel of My Life. The song became the anthem for lovers everywhere. It had that perfect blend of sweet lyrics and a soothing nostalgic melody that made you want to hit repeat over and over again. Suddenly, Paul Play was everywhere, and everyone was talking about him.
Where did Paul Play Go?
After the huge success of Angel of My Life, you would think Paul Play was set for even bigger things. But life had other plans. In 2009, he faced a serious health scare when he was diagnosed with a kidney condition. He had to leave Nigeria and get treatment abroad, which meant taking a long break from his music career. This pause came right at a time when he was on top, and sadly, it slowed his momentum.
By the time Paul Play was back on his feet, the Nigerian music scene had shifted. Afrobeats was dominating, and new faces like Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy had taken center stage. The sound had changed too—people were gravitating towards high-energy beats and party vibes, leaving behind the slower, soulful R&B tunes he was known for.
In the previously mentioned interview, the singer sadly recalled, “Life dealt me a big blow at the peak of my career. I was missing in action for about seven years because of my health challenges but God knows what is best for me.”
The Comeback Attempts
Despite the setbacks, Paul Play didn’t give up on his music. In 2020, he decided to remix his iconic hit Angel of My Life with Runtown. The remix gave the song a modern touch, and it got some love from his longtime fans, but it didn’t quite bring him back to the forefront.
Then, that same year, Paul Play dropped a new track called Kolo, featuring Nonso Amadi, where he sampled another hit song of his, Forever. It was a mix of Afro-soul and R&B, showing that he could still deliver smooth, soulful music.
While Kolo didn’t make a huge splash, it was nice to see him back, doing what he loves and staying true to his roots.
The Legacy of Paul Play
Even though Paul Play isn’t in the spotlight like he used to be, his impact on Nigerian music can’t be denied. Angel of My Life is still a classic—you’ll probably hear it at weddings or special occasions today. I guess it’s safe to say that artists like Johnny Drille and Chike, who are riding on the R&B wave in Nigeria, owe something to trailblazers like him.
These days, Paul Play is still making music, but on his own terms. He’s not chasing the fame he once had, but he’s not done either. His most recent single Phenomenal, was released in February 2024. Before that, he also released other singles like Guidance and I’m African n Proud.
In a Nutshell
Paul Play might not be the chart-topping star he once was, but his contributions to Nigerian music are undeniable. For many of us, Paul Play will always be the voice behind one of the most iconic Nigerian love songs ever, and that’s a legacy worth celebrating.