Shina Peters: My record label made me pose as madman to win sympathy

Legendary Afro-Juju musician, Sir Shina Peters, has revealed the extraordinary publicity stunt his record label orchestrated to rebuild his image after he left Prince Adekunle’s band.

Speaking on The Honest Bunch podcast, the veteran singer recounted how he faced intense public criticism following his departure from the band, prompting his record label boss, Tunde Savage — then Marketing Director at Daily Times — to devise an unconventional strategy to regain public sympathy.

“When I left Prince Adekunle’s band, people protested against me, accusing me of betraying my mentor for money,” Peters said.

“Then, my record label boss and some editors from Concord and Evening Times newspapers came up with an idea.”

According to him, the plan involved transforming his appearance to look mentally unstable.

“He told me to plait my hair and leave it uncombed for three days. I also tore some of my old clothes.

“On the third day, they loosened my hair without combing it, dressed me in the torn clothes, and took me to Oyingbo Market to buy ewedu.

“They recorded everything without explaining why,” Peters revealed.

The stunt continued in Badagry, where construction firm Julius Berger was building a bridge.

“They asked me to act like a madman and eat in public.

“It was all to make people pity me because my exit from Prince Adekunle’s band caused a lot of anger,” he explained.

The ‘Ace’ crooner said the controversial act eventually worked, softening public perception and helping him rebuild his career.