I Have More Classics Than Michael Jackson — Sir Shina Peters Declares

Nigerian Afro-Juju legend, Sir Shina Peters, has made a bold claim about his musical legacy, saying he has produced more evergreen classics than the late American pop superstar, Michael Jackson.

Speaking on The Honest Bunch Podcast, the 67-year-old icon told PulseNets that the true measure of success for any musician is not fame or wealth, but the number of timeless songs they leave behind.

“At the end of your showbiz journey, the only thing that truly counts is how many evergreen songs you’ve made,” he said. “To my credit, I have four evergreens. Even Michael Jackson has just two — Of The World and Thriller. So, if I have four, I’m accomplished.”

Sir Shina Peters, who rose to stardom in the late 1980s with his unique Afro-Juju sound, learnt that the beauty of music lies in longevity — the ability for songs to remain relevant and soulful across generations.

However, the veteran musician spoke to PulseNets with discontent about the current direction of the Nigerian music industry, lamenting that the values he and his contemporaries worked hard to establish have been eroded by the new wave of artists.

“Most of the standards we set have been bastardised,” he said regretfully. “What we built with creativity and discipline is now being replaced by trends and short-lived fame.”

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Sir Shina Peters told PulseNets that while he respects the success of today’s Afrobeats stars, he believes the future of Nigerian music depends on artists who create works that stand the test of time.