He later formed a group with Juju Maestro, Segun Adewale. Shina Peters, after releasing many albums with Segun Adewale through the 1980s, went on to form his own band, “Sir Shina Peters & His International Stars.”
The first album they release, ‘Ace’ (Afro-Juju Series 1) in 1989, went double platinum and was the career breakthrough which catapulted Sir Shina Peters into limelight.
“Ace” was a musical fusion of Juju and Afro beat, a rhythmic collaboration which pierced ethnic, cultural, and language barriers in Nigeria. However, it seems the 57years old Afro-juju crooner is back and bouncing with his endorsement with MTN.
With the high acceptance of hip-hop songs among the old and young, where lies the future of Juju music?
All are music, wether hip-hop, juju,or high life. Music is supposed to make people happy. Juju has passed several bridges. There was a time Makosa and some other types of music were reigning supreme but they all left the scene after some years. I am not supposed to talk about Juju because mine is Afro Juju which I created from Juju. I was the first artist that rapped in Juju.
The only difference between their style and my type of music is that theirs are digital while mine is analog. When you think of Juju, Ebasu Beru, Aina Bakare, Tunde King Tunilade, Ebenezer Obey and the rest of them come to mind. Also, I will like to appeal to those who look down or see the hip hop artists as riffraffs. Please, leave them alone. Maybe they sing immorally now, they will definitely outgrow it and give us something better.
After all, I had done songs like figure 8, Sepesepe, Olomoge Show Me Your Back, but it later changed even as I was diplomatic about it. I believe hip-hop is from Afro-juju.
Hip-hop has come to stay because they are playing like Juju, they are playing like Fuji. Hip-hop is for the new generation, yet our own generation still believes in us and that is why MTN used me to blend the two generations.
After the Irawoju Irawolo hit song, you’ve not been able to produce another hit, why?
That question is a billion-dollar question. The problem is that people cannot differentiate from Shinamania, experience and the rest. All that matters to them is Afrojuju and Shina Peters.
Should your fans be expecting something from you soon?
Yes, it is not an easy thing to create an identity, style and have people appreciate it. I created my own music and the music has got across many countries.
You said your fans should expect something from you soonest and you are still saying is not easy to create music?
I don’t go to the studio for the fun of it; the state of the country is not encouraging. What are we going to sing about? Our leaders seem to be selfish. I must tell you, people can only appreciate and enjoy entertainment when the country is peaceful.
Could it be age telling on you?
It has nothing to do with age. I will invite you to come see me on stage. I am sure you will be amazed. I am presently working on something which should be ready next year.
What has been the most memorable time of your career?
That was the day MTN called me to ask if I was in any contract with anybody or company and I said no. They told me I had become one of their ambassadors. Not necessarily because of the money involved but because of the prestige of the company I was associated with. MTN must have done a research on my personalty before I was chosen.
Shina-Peters
Shina-Peters
What seems irreplaceable that music has taken from you?
My mother. I lost my mother to stardom. She read about my paternity and what she read shocked her. Let me quote her and may her gentle soul rest in peace (amen). “I will now give a child to two fathers? impossible”. After saying this, she went down, collapsed and was in coma for six months before she died. It was a huge price to pay.
Please share the story with us?
My mother had a daughter for a man before marrying my father. But this man also bears the same name with my biological father. She met my father three years after separating from the man. My father married my mother with the daughter and took care of her as his own daughter.
However, some journalists met with this man and asked him if he was my father. He answered in the affirmative being a Yoruba man with the candid belief that if my father could accommodate and take care of his daughter like his, then he is also my father.
So, what steps did you take to correct the false news?
At first, I was so bitter but I had to let it go. I had friends who were journalists.
Is guitar the only musical instrument you play?
No, I play all western instruments but guitar is my favorite.
How did you learn to play all the instruments?
I am a product of Cherubim and Seraphim Church. At my early age, I played the organ in the church and if you can play the organ very well, the rest will be very easy to play.
You went into music at a time many parents frowned at it. Did your parents support your career choice?
I had a dream when I was 10 years old. In that dream, I was told to pick two things and choose one. One on my left, the other on my right. I opened the one of music. The next morning, I informed my parents that I was not going to school again. My parents were not happy. They invited our neigbours to beg me but I remained adamant.
The landlord said I was a bad omen and he didn’t want me in his house again. My parents did not object. They were just looking at me. On my way out of the house, I told them that by the time I would come back to that house, the house will be deserted and won’t be the same. And I told my parents that I would not come back to that house until I achieved my goal.
Why did you so much believe in yourself at that age?
Who am I to believe in myself, am I God? My destiny was pushing me and I couldn’t resist it.
Today, many musicians can’t play any musical instruments. Do you think this will affect the future of music in Nigeria?
We won’t allow it to happen. Performing Musicians Employers’ Association of Nigeria PMAN is working on issues like this.
What has kept you going?
Fasting and prayer. That’s all.
You look ageless, any daily routine?
I swim every day to remain flexible and light.
How did you get the ‘’Sir’’ attached to your name?
That was my first time in London in1970. I won the best guitarist award organized by the United Nigeria Culture Organization UNICO. I was so young, even the guitar was bigger than me. The announcer called me ‘Sir’ to appreciate me. I have a certificate for it.
If you are thinking of doing a collabo, which younger musician would you go for?
I can only work with an MTN ambassador for now.
Outside that, who would have been your choice?
I am working on something.
Has your partnership with MTN opened other doors for you?
I would like you to quote me. Even if MTN says thank you very much, this is where we want you to stop, my generation will always appreciate MTN. MTN and the executive of Celebrity Upward Mobility G&M have been wonderful to me.
Did you, by chance, influence your son, Clarence Peters’ choice of career who is now a known music video director and producer?
Clarence is a genius. He was always by my side whenever I was playing the guitar. I think that influenced him a little but he has his own thing built inside of him.
Would you say you are fulfilled?
I am, but I am scared about the upcoming ones. There are still a lot of work to be done on them, but I won’t give up on them. Whoever wants me to assist him or her should come to me. Some of these musicians cannot handle fame. I pray God touches their hearts, because the key to success is humility. When you are humble, people will appreciate you more than who you are.
What is your philosophy of life?
I don’t know what tomorrow maybe, but may almighty God give me the will to handle tomorrow.
Is it true that you were broke as some media reports claim?
I would have loved to address that issue in a strict way but I won’t.
Why?
For the fact that I have decided not to be flamboyant again doesn’t mean I am broke. At least I am still working and living. Life is full of ups and downs, I have been broke several times but always going up again. That is one of the things that kill many celebrities, the fear of falling. I have outgrown that level.
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Sir Shina Peters, born 30 May 1958, in Ogun State, is a Nigerian juju musician. Named Oluwashina Akanbi Peters, he began his career playing the guitar for General Prince Adekunle.
source:vanguard
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