Afro juju creator and sexagenarian, Akanbi Oluwashina Peters aka Sir Shina Peters shares his over five decades experience on stage today.

 Can you remember the first time you performed live?

It was a very long time ago. I can’t remember, honestly; I can’t.

What do you normally do before a show?

After rehearsals I always go spiritual by talking to my God. Though I have been close to God but ever since I turned 60, I have become even closer to my creator.

Apart from going spiritual, I go into my dressing room because I’m a powerful dresser and my mood determines the kind of cloths or costumes I wear.

 When you wake up on the day of the show, what do you normally do?

That depends on my mood. I don’t do anything special. I may either eat or not. However, I could be going for a show and see a corn seller and ask my driver to park so I could buy and eat. But one important thing I do is that I don’t listen to any music on the day of a show because I don’t want to be influenced by any other music including mine; that helps me to stay focused.

You‘re quite energetic on stage. Do you take any stimulants?

No, I have never smoked or taken any stimulant in my entire life. Though I drink beer, I don’t take energy boosters. All the action you see on the stage is natural because I enjoy what I do.

 Do you treat your voice specially?

I neither treat my voice nor use any special concoction. Also, I have never tried to emulate any singer; my voice is just natural.

How do you relate with your fans, both male and female?

My fans cut across all the tribes in Nige­ria. In fact, I have more fans in the eastern part of Nigeria than the western part where we have the Yoruba, and after my God, my fans come next so we have a very cordial relationship.

What are the crazy things a male fan done to you?

On stage I do a lot of crazy things so if a male fan appreciates me with crisps naira notes it is no big deal because I have also done a lot for them. I am very close to my  male fans to the extent that we relate as one family.

What about female fans?

My female fans love me and that does not mean that I take advantage of them. I know that indeed they love me because they have done lots of crazy things to me.

Which one will you say was the craziest?

They have done a lot of crazy things to me but that does not mean we are bed-mates. Women love me so much because I am an artiste that fights for women’s rights.

Let’s know one crazy thing a fe­male fan has done to you?

Hmmm, I have autographed so many boobs.

I’ve autographed countless boobs–Sir Shina Peters