Do You Remember Salawa Abeni ?

 

Salawa Abeni, aka gentle lady, is one of Nigeria's most respected female musicians, a pioneer in her own field, and talent personified. Salawa is a famous musician, whose specific genre of music is Waka. She has had records of breakthroughs in her music career that she was given the title Queen. let's take a look at who she really is. 

Born on the 5th of May in the year 1961, Salawa turns 60 years old in 2021, it has been 60 years of twists, turns, hurdles, achievements, and accomplishments, yet Salawa made it to the top.

The legend began singing at the age of 13, but released her first album in the year 1976, she was 15years of age at that time, the song was in memory of the late General Muritala Mohammed. Although her first song, the release shot her into the limelight, her tender age was also an addition.  trained

Salawa Abeni did not acquire enough educational qualification, she was only able to receive elementary which many know as primary school education.

After her first album became a hit in 1976, selling millions of copies, she founded her own music band the next year (1977) which she called The Waka Modernisers. Salawa and The Waka Modernisers released about 14 albums. within the 70s and the 80s.  

Finding love for Salawa came with a bit of twists and turns, Salawa got married to famous Fuji star Kollington Ayinla, after a few years of bliss, the marriage turned sour. Not considering that their marriage bore children, both partners staged musical wars as they released songs of insults at each other as they went through their divorce.

Salawa has had a lot of adventures and one of them is her title being the Queen of Waka, this title was given to her in the year 1992 by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, this is a title she still holds to date. 

Altogether, Salawa Abeni released about 30 albums and about a hundred tracks during her active years. The typical gentle lady has been keeping it gentle over the years as she has stayed off the limelight keeping her private life, private.

Writer: Idowu Elizabeth
Editor (s): Idowu Elizabeth & Awe Olufunso
Publisher: Awe Olufunso