Sir Shina Peters Opens Up About Fathering His First Child at 14, Says the Music Industry Is No Longer Conducive for Him

Nigerian Juju music legend Oluwashina Akanbi Peters, famously known as Sir Shina Peters, has stirred conversations after revealing intimate details about his early life and career.

In a recent episode of The Honest Bunch Podcast, the Afrojuju pioneer recounted how fame and success found him at a remarkably young age — an era that shaped not only his music but also his personal journey.

“I started my career at the age of 10. I had my first child at 14. I bought my first car at 13. I built my first house at 16,” he revealed.

For many Nigerians, these revelations might sound unbelievable, yet they paint a vivid picture of the fast-paced life that came with early stardom — a life that demanded maturity long before its time.

Now 67, Sir Shina Peters says he has no plans to make a comeback to the music scene. According to him, the modern industry environment is no longer “conducive” for his kind of artistry.

“My fans are demanding that I give them new music but I don’t just go to the studio. I can’t go to the studio, the atmosphere is not conducive for me. I don’t know what to sing,” he explained.

Interestingly, the Juju icon also claimed that a majority of his fanbase — 65 percent — are from the Igbo community, not Yoruba, underscoring how deeply his music transcended cultural boundaries.

🎵 Opinion: A Legend Reflecting on the Weight of His Legacy

Sir Shina Peters’ story is both inspiring and cautionary. His success came early — too early, perhaps — in a world where fame can feel like both a blessing and a burden. To have fathered a child at 14, owned a car at 13, and built a house at 16 speaks volumes about the kind of whirlwind life that fame brought upon him.

It also mirrors how the music industry of the past often celebrated prodigies without considering the emotional toll of early stardom. In contrast, today’s industry is fast, digital, and sometimes chaotic — one that a classic legend like Shina Peters may understandably find alien.

His admission that he can’t find the right “atmosphere” to record again isn’t a sign of weakness — it’s a reflection of how drastically the musical landscape has shifted. Back then, rhythm was soulful; today, it’s algorithmic.

Yet, his fans — both Igbo and Yoruba — remain loyal. And maybe, just maybe, what Sir Shina Peters needs isn’t a comeback, but a celebration — of his legacy, his rhythm, and the unforgettable Afrojuju sound that helped define an era.