*Says: My elder blood brother, Sir Shina Peters & I share a strong bond’
*Embraced music as a career in 1982, played as a drummer for many bands, later joined King Sunny Ade music group
*‘My great grandmother and my mother influenced my gift of music ministration’
*Played concerts in America’s major cities: Maryland, Philadelphia, New York; New Jersey, Baltimore, Delaware; Connecticut, Houston, Dallas; Chicago, Detroit, Atlanta Georgia
*Keeps sealed lips on rumored Abass Akande Obesere and Lady T alleged marriage
*Recalled last moment with wife who died in the United States
*BY LEKAN RILWAN/SPECIAL ENTERTAINMENT Correspondent, NAIJA STANDARD Newspaper Inc USA
He is the immediate younger brother to ace Nigeria’s Afro Juju music star, Sir Shina Peters (SSP). He plays Juju Stereo Sound-a fast tempo in between twice fast and slow music. His name is YOMI Peters. A handsome, intelligent, charismatic and energetic musician who plays an electrifying juju music without looking back. His dexterity on guitar is beyond comprehension. He played with different bands including King Sunny Ade’s legendary music group. In this chit-chat with NAIJA STANDARD NEWSPAPER Inc USA, he talks about his music origin, relationship with SSP, why he chose to keep quite on the much-published rumored marriage between his best friend, Abass Akande Obesere and Lady T, the death of his wife in the United States and lots of concerts he performed in major cities in America.
*NAIJA STANDARD: Can you take us through your adventure into music?
*YOMI: I started my musical career in 1982 as drummer for my brother, Sir Shina Peters (SSP). From there to another band under Professor OLA ETO. From there to Alhaji Monsuru Akande, to Handsome Wale Abiodun to King Sunny Ade before I started my own band 1987
*NAIJA STANDARD: Who are those mentors whose iconic music led you to embrace entertainment as a career?
*YOMI: My Great grandmother and my mother at the CM church positively influenced me. They sing in the church regularly. I must say that’s where I get the gift from.
*NAIJA STANDARD: How do you get inspiration to write ✍️ songs?
*YOMI: Inspiration can come at any time if you’re alone or you are amid people or in church
*NAIJA STANDARD: How many albums have you released so far, and which are your favourites?
*YOMI: ‘I love you’, ‘Na you be this’, ‘Mummy’s pet’, ‘Forward ever’, ‘Motigbare’, ‘Surulere’, ‘Back to Sender’, ‘Stereo juju’, and ‘like 12’
*NAIJA STANDARD: Do you use your true-life story to sing, or you just develop music from your environment?
*YOMI: Yes, something can come up a time, and I compose on it too
*NAIJA STANDARD: Did Legends like Chief Ebenezer Obey, Orlando Owoh, Orlando Julius; Chief I.K. Dario and Fatai Rolling Dollars have any impact on your music career? If yes, how?
*YOMI: Yes, they are all legends with good albums. I listen to their music always and if I find something I can work on, I do not hesitate.
*NAIJA STANDARD: You play high-tempo, energetic Juju music, just like your elder blood brother, Sir Shina Peters (SSP). How can people differentiate your style of music from your brother?
*YOMI: My music rhymes and composition are very different from my brother. I play Juju Stereo Sound, and my fast tempo is in between twice fast and slow music.
*NAIJA STANDARD: Between you, and SSP, who conceived Juju music first in your family?
*YOMI: My brother first playing juju music
*NAIJA STANDARD: Were there pushbacks by your parents earlier when they learnt you and SSP were going into music? If yes, how did you overcome that challenge?
*YOMI: They were into music too. They didn’t disturb me at all, as a matter of fact, they assisted me when I first started my musical career.
*NAIJA STANDARD: What was growing up like with SSP?
*YOMI: We are very close and love each other because we are all boys, so we understood each other very well.
*NAIJA STANDARD: If you have not been a musician, is there another career you would have embraced as at today?
*YOMI: Football or Comedy.
*NAIJA STANDARD: Do you have any regret being a musician?
*YOMI: Not at all, I am very happy to be a musician.
*NAIJA STANDARD: We are sorry for the death of your wife in the United States of America. How did it happen and what led to her death and when was she buried?
*YOMI: God know the best. I believe she’s resting in perfect peace because she was a very good person.
*NAIJA STANDARD: Can you take us through some of the shows you put on in America?
*YOMI: Yes, I played at several States and cities in United States like Maryland, Philadelphia, New York, New Jersey, Baltimore, Delaware, Connecticut, Houston Texas, Dallas TX, Chicago, Detroit, Atlanta Georgia. We did a lot of concerts
*NAIJA STANDARD: We heard from a section of the press that your best friend, Abass Akande Obesere (a.k.a., Omorapala or Baba to si’i be) allegedly married Toyin Lady T (a.k.a., Oni so ku so). How genuine is their marriage and what is going on between the two of them?
*YOMI: I can’t tell you anything about that because my friend didn’t tell me anything about it but I know he will do that very soon.
*NAIJA STANDARD: Finally, what do you want the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration to do for the entertainment industry, especially the music sector in the nation, since the Performing Musician Employers’ Association of Nigeria (PMAN) is having various crises?
*YOMI: Our President loves music. I know he is planning to do a surprise for us on that since we believe in him.
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