Salawa Abeni, the renowned Yoruba Waka singer, has made history as the first female artist from the Yoruba culture to sell over a million copies of her music in Nigeria. She was born on May 5, 1961, in Ijebu Waterside, Ogun State. Salawa Abeni’s journey to success was far from easy.
Coming from a polygamous home in the village of Igbogun, near Ogun and Lagos states, Salawa faced many challenges during her childhood. Eventually, she was sent away to work as a housemaid in a nearby town. It was during this time that her incredible talent for singing was discovered.
Starting at the age of 9, Salawa’s melodious voice was perfect for the traditional Yoruba music known as Waka. She would sing whenever she got the chance, whether it was playing with friends or at gatherings with women. Soon, she began performing at parties and social events, bringing joy to those who listened.
At the young age of 10, Salawa approached the Leader recording label in Lagos, hoping to have her demo tape heard. However, she was turned away due to her young age. It wasn’t until the label stumbled upon her performing in Epe, with a large crowd as her audience, that they recognized her immense talent. They immediately took her to their studio, where she was groomed to become one of Nigeria’s most successful artists.
In 1976, Salawa released her debut album titled “Late General Murtala Ramat Mohammed” under Leader Records. This groundbreaking album became the first recording by a female artist to sell over a million copies in Nigeria, solidifying Salawa’s status as a music sensation.
In 1977, at the age of 16, Salawa formed her musical group called The Waka Modernisers. She continued recording with Leader until 1986 when she decided to leave and join her husband Kollington Ayinla’s record label. Salawa stayed with Ayinla until 1994.
In 1992, Salawa was honored with the title “Queen of Waka Music” by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, recognizing her significant contribution to the genre.
Despite facing a challenging incident in which an anonymous individual threatened to release scandalous photos of her, Salawa, being the respected and dignified veteran artist that she is, took control of the situation. She shared the photos herself, making it clear that no one can tarnish the image she has worked hard to build over the past 45 years of her career.
With a remarkable 42 albums to her name, Salawa Abeni shows no signs of slowing down. Her passion for music continues to shine through, making her an iconic figure in Nigerian music history.
