17 September, 2008

In Defence of Clarence A. Peters

I pride myself on being an F. Gary Gray in the making. I always make sure that I am up to date on Nigerian Music Videos. Up until two years ago before I left Naija, before a new video is on TV for a full day, I would make efforts to know the name of the Artiste and his background, his producer and the Director of the Video.

Back then, when the likes of Uzodinma Okpechi held sway with the Synergy Video, Kingsley Ogoro etc. to hitherto unknowns back then who are now household names: dj Tee, Seyi Babatope, Clarence A. Peters, Emeka Obefe…I have always tried to stay informed.

However, there is this guy that I’ve been interested in for a while, Clarence A. Peters.
Everybody that has written about this guy would always mention that he was a product of the love affair between Sir Shina Peters and Clarion Chukwura. Some writers even bracket and highlight it just so that you do not miss that important fact.
From my findings, I now know he was under the tutelage of dj Tee for a while before he started running things on his own and that he is a bundle of talents and ideas. In addition to being a Video Director, He also has a Record Label.
Is it a crime to be conceived or born outside wedlock? Is being born out of wedlock supposed to be a defining stigma? I do not think so.

I have never met Clarence in person, I really hope to meet him soon though…
With brilliant works like Street Credibility[9ice], Shayo[Durella],Roof on Fire[Jazzman Olofin], etc., the sky is the limit for him.

I am appealing to writers out there to celebrate this brilliant young man. Nobody really wants to know that Clarence Peter is Sir. Shina Peter’s son and that he was born out of wedlock.
Let us celebrate this young man and his works and he would be encouraged to do more.