Veteran Afro-Juju legend Sir Shina Peters has shared how a bold and unconventional strategy helped him rebuild his image following his controversial exit from Prince Adekunle’s band.
Speaking on The Honest Bunch Podcast, the “Ace” crooner recalled that his decision to leave the band sparked intense criticism, with many accusing him of betraying his mentor for financial gain.
To counter the backlash, his management team devised a shocking publicity stunt — making him appear mentally unstable to evoke public sympathy.
“People protested against me when I left Prince Adekunle’s band because they believed I left my father figure for money,” he recounted. “Then the owner of my record label and some media heads came up with an idea.”
According to him, the plan involved changing his appearance and behavior to attract attention and reshape public perception.
“They asked me to braid my hair for three days without loosening it. Then I wore torn clothes, and they took me to Oyingbo Market to buy ewedu while recording everything. I didn’t even know what they were up to,” he said.
The act didn’t stop there. Sir Shina Peters revealed that the performance continued in Badagry, where he was filmed behaving like a mentally unstable person at a Julius Berger construction site.
“They told me to act like a madman and eat in public. All of that was done to change people’s narratives and earn empathy from fans,” he added.
The veteran singer said the dramatic move eventually paid off, as it helped transform public perception and restore his reputation, paving the way for his successful career as a solo artist.