Shina Peters

Life

Born Oluwashina Akanbi Peters in Ogun State. Peters thrust into music began at a young age when he played with friends under the handle Olushina and the His Twelve Fantastic Brothers. While playing with his friends, he taught himself how to play the piano and later joined Ebenezer Obey's band. Thereafter, he left Obey's band and joined General Prince Adekunle's band as a guitar player. Adekunle's band played in Lagos hotels such as Western Hotel, Palm Beach Hotel and Executive Hotel, when Adekunle was ill, Peters sometimes acted as lead singer. He left Adekunle to form Shina Adewale, a band with Juju Maestro Segun Adewale. However, the duo soon split. 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".

Peters was an actor in 'Money Power', a movie produced by Ola Balogun. He met and started a relationship with actress Clarion Chukwura a fellow actor. Their friendship led to the birth of a son, Clarence Peters.

Career breakthrough

Sir Shina Peters & His International Stars released first album Ace (Afro-Juju Series 1) in 1989. The album which was released under CBS Records of Nigeria went double platinum and was the career breakthrough that catapulted Peters back into the limelight. "Ace" produced by Laolu Akins is a musical fusion between Juju and Afrobeat; a rhythmic collaboration which pierced Ethnic, Cultural and language barriers in Nigeria. Afro juju musical style mixes fast percussive beat with the use of electronic keyboards, saxophone and guitar. Some of the lyrics in the album especially in 'Ijo Shina' were quite racy for the period. The album went on to garner awards for Peters including the artist and album of the Year at the Nigerian Musical Awards. He followed 'Ace' with 'Shinamania'; the album had singles such as 'Oluwa Yo Pese', 'Omo Bo' and 'Give our women Chance'. Shinamania (Afro-Juju Series 2) went on to further prove that Sir Shina Peters & His International Stars were on the verge to change and revolutionize the Juju Music scene in Africa. Sir Shina Peters is still regarded as the creator of a well-respected music genre (Afro Juju) that exists in its own class till this day. He currently has 16 album releases to his credit.

Sir Shina Peters, also called "SSP", has received numerous awards and recognition for his unparalleled prowess in the art of Writing, Composition, Choreography and Musical Ability. Sir Shina Peters & His International Stars have become a household name in the World Music genre. Sir Shina Peters has sold millions of albums worldwide & has taken his music to the shores of South Africa, Europe, Germany, United Kingdom, Italy and United States. Sir Shina Peters is currently signed to Orbit Entertainment, his USA agency based in New York..

Popular culture

Sir Shina Peters is a well-recognised symbol of music evolution in Nigeria. Popularising one of Africa's most important genres,he is seen as a force for great musical movements.

Discography

1. Way to Freedom (1980)
2. Freedom (1981)
3. Money Power (1982)
4. Ko Temi fun mi (1984)
5. Sewele (1986)
6. Ace "Afro Juju Series 1 (1989)
7. Shinamania (1990)
8. Dancing Time (1991)
9. Experience (1992)
10. Mr. President (1993)
11. My Child (1994)
12. Kilode (1995)
13. Love (1996)
14. Reunion (1997)
15. Playmate (2000)
16. Happy Hour (2001)
17. Pay Back Time (2005)
18. Splendour (2006)
19. D one 4 me (2012)