SALAWA ABENI IS BACK

SALAWA ABENI IS BACK Written by Dauda Awwal For over 40 years Queen Salawa Abeni has been thrilling audiences with her dynamic live performances. In December 2016 she was invited by the Executive Governor of Lagos state to perform at the state house where the some Nigerian legends in the music industry including Queen Salawa Abeni were celebrated by the Lagos State Government, among them include Evangelist Ebenezer Obey, Sir Victor Wifor, Adewale Ayuba,Lagbaja. Salawa Abeni performed her waka at the event. Abeni has released over 50 albums between 1976-2016. Salawa is back to her career, she intends to recapture her Waka and take it to the next level .She speaks with Dauda Awwal, UK Investigative Journalist in an exclusive interview with him. Salawa Abeni born May 5, 1961 into a polygamous home, she is a popular female Nigerian musician .Her father Alhaji Khaleed Ojomu married her late mother Mrs Memunat Ashabi ojomu and blessed with many children . Abeni loves music at the age of 5.Lateef Adepoju-owner of leader records discovered her talents at the age of 13.With the permission of her parents Lateef took her to studio in 1976 After the sudden death of Nigerian Head of State-Gen.Murtala Ramat Muhammad, She released her hit debut album Late General Ramat Mohammed in 1976 under Leader records. This became the first recording by a female artist to sell over a million copies in Nigeria. Abeni moved to Lagos 1980 and formed her own group named Waka Modernisers, left Leader Records after she recorded 15 LP Master tape including tribute album to the apala legend star,late Alhaji Haruna Ishola (Baba Gani Agba).. Abeni has won many award . She is the first best-selling female artist in Nigeria, Salawa was crowned as 'Queen of Waka' in 1992 Oba Lamidi Adeyemi,the Alaafin of Oyo at Adamasingba Stadium Ibadan and she has continued to regale her fans with several unbeatable rhythms. She is the only one of the most successful artists in Nigeria. HER CAREER What is Waka? Waka is a term used to describe music in hausa language,waka developed out of Yoruba folkloric, it is remarkable rhythmical music that is driven by the rich eloquence of the talking drums. Queen Salawa Abeni 's majestic voice combine to make her waka music an irresistible journey to the heart of Africa's most dynamic culture. Her music is a cultural phenomenon whose music crosses ethnic and religious divisions. Salawa is an icon to millions of Nigerian women in Nigeria and Diaspora. Salawa emerged as a teen star. Abeni first gained international recognition in the 1976  she signed on to Kolligton Ayinla In 1990, Abeni establishing herself as a viable waka modernizer in the western part in Nigeria gained recognition around the world. she achieved worldwide fame after releasing several albums her albums became the best-selling throughout 36 states in Nigeria. She also scored a series of international number-one hits, including "Gentle Lady nimi,mio kinse fighter o,kenikeni ma timi lo sibi ija’’ Alhaja Salawa's music has been influenced by genres ranging from Waka to hip hop rock and classical. Her recordings are mainly in Yoruba mixed with English, although she also sings in Hausa. The mother of three is a star and giant of African music. While her releases have often received mixed critical reception, she is regarded as one of Waka music's most influential voices. Abeni has won many award. She is the first best-selling female artist in Nigeria. Abeni remains the best-selling Nigerian artist and one of the best-selling artists of all time with record sales of over 50 million copies worldwide since 1976 till date. Rising to fame since 1974 turns her to legend, icon of Waka with her self-style, she is philanthropist. Salawa have achieved international fame with her distinctive songs and vocal style. her first album gained recognition like an album Exodus released by Bob Marley in England. Salawa is a global symbol in the waka Celine Dion in United States of America. Queen of waka music, Alhaja Salawa Abeni is one of Nigeria's most successful female musicians. Big Shereef- son of Queen Salawa Abeni has performed on stage many times, the son of the two music legends is a blessing to the Ilori family. Big Shereef told the media that his reputation had nothing to do his decision to become a musician. ’’My mother-Queen put her foot against my decision to become drop out, I appreciate her and thank her. She contributed to my life positively to be a graduate musician . In an exclusive interview with Dauda Awwal, UK based Investigative Journalist Queen Salawa speaks on her career, children and her relationship with the world press. WHO IS SALAWA ? Salawa Abeni born May 5, 1961 into a polygamous home in Epe,waterside, Lagos state, my father was from Ogun State My mother was from Ibeju lekki-ise local Government, Lagos State. My grandmother was from Ilesha, Osun State. A popular female Nigerian Musician -daughter of Late Khalled and late Memunatu Ashabi. May Almighty Allah grant them eternal peace. My mother was the second wife and she had many children for my father . I love music at the age of 5,Lateef Adepoju owner of leader records discovered my talents at the age of 13.With the permission of my parents Lateef took me to studio in 1976. After the sudden death of Nigerian Head of State-Gen.Murtala Ramat Muhammad. She released her hit debut album Late General Ramat Mohammed in 1976 under Leader records. This became the first recording by a female artist to sell over a million copies in Nigeria. WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THAT ? I moved to Lagos 1980 and formed my own group named Waka Modernisers, left Leader Records after I recorded a tribute album to the apala legend star,Alhaji Haruna Ishola.. WHEN DID YOU GET INTO MUSIC? I started the music career in 1974 where I was born in Ogun State. I grew up in Igbogun, under Epe Central, Lagos State. Then we used to listen to three records, three musicians rather, through the radiogram that was used by hand in the 70s. We used to listen to Commander Ebenezer Obey,King Sunny Ade, Late Dr Sikiru Ayinde Barrister. In theatre, we used to listen to Efunsetan Aniwura and I-Show-Pepper That time, we used to engaged in tradtional children's play game called 'bojuboju o, oloronbo'.Se n wa wo,ma wawo' But whenever it was time for the programme, I used to leave my people to go and listen. Then, we had to peep from the window, because it was only two people that had radio and radiogram in my town. The man and his wife now noticed that anytime they were engaging this programme, I was always by his window, he and his friend. He now said, 'Come, we see that you like this thing, come and be listening to it'. Then one day, I just said to myself, “I want to be a musician. I want people to be hailing me, and calling my name.” I just said my own. I didn't know that when I said it, the angel that was passing said 'Amen' and Almighty Allah said 'Kun Fayakun-Be and it will be'. That was how it started. HOW MANY ALBUMS YOU HAVE PRODUCED ?. A lot.A lot. But I can only remember the last one, 'The recovering'. I love all the tracks, marketed by Lati Alagbala HAVE YOU BEEN ARRESTED BY NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT FOR CRITICIZING THEM ? No . It is better to be slapped with truth rather than be smiled with lies.. WHO TAUGHT YOU WAKA ? Almighty God. Nobody taught me waka, music is waka in hausa language . I have been gifted by God. Waka have been created before I was born. I met waka through Batuli Alake, Adetona Aduke, and many others. And some have come after me too. Some sing Islamic waka, some waka fuji, some Christian waka. It's the way they name it that's different, but It's only that God said that everyone would mention Salawa Abeni's name with waka. It's not by my power or wisdom, but Almighty Allah. HER CHALLENGES The 'WAKA' suffered a setback about ten years ago when she struck with a ailment she could not perform her musical acts both on-stage and studio, this created a vacuum in the music genre . Queen has fully recovered from the ailment and ready to bounce back into reckoning. People had shown that her enigma was greatly missed during the period of her absence and a need to fill the void created in the entertainment world. ''Some people will only love you as much as they can use you, their loyalty ends where the benefits stop. I use this opportunity to show my appreciation to those who have contributed positively to my life particularly Lagos State Government. May your day be filled with blessings. I learn great things from my tears. A friend is known when needed'' A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor. I thank Almighty Allah for bringing me back to life. Don't worry about what other people say behind your back, they are the people who are finding faults in your life instead of fixing the faults in their life. Every day of your life is a page of your history. I know God has a bigger and better plans for me than I have for myself . I know everything happened for a reason. fortune favours the bold. What God knows about me is more important than what others think about me''. Among her albums as follow Late Murtala Muhammed  (Leader, 1976) Iba Omode Iba Agba  (Leader, 1976) Shooting Stars  (Leader, 1977) Ijamba Motor  (Leader, 1978) Okiki Kan To Sele   (Leader, 1979) Orin Tuntun  (Leader, 1979) Irohin Mecca  (Leader, 1980) Ile Aiye  (Leader, 1980) Omi Yale  (Leader, 1980) Ija O Dara  (Leader, 1981) Ikilo  (Leader, 1981) Eni e tori e le Ku  (Leader, 1982) Challenge Cup ’84  (Leader, 1983) Adieu Alhaji Haruna Ishola  (Leader, 1985) Indian Waka (Kollington), (1986) Ife Dara Pupo (Kollington), (1986) Mo Tun De Bi Mo Se Nde (Kollington), (1986) Awa Lagba (Kollington), (1987) Abode America (Kollington), (1988) Ileya Special (Kollington), (1988) I Love You (Kollington), (1988) We Are The Children (Kollington), (1989) Maradonna (Kollington), (1989) Candle (Kollington), (1990) Experience (Alagbada), (1991) Congratulations (Alagbada), (1991) Cheer Up (Alagbada), (1992) Waka Carnival (Alagbada), (1994) Beware cassette (Sony), (1995) Live In London ’96 cassette (Emperor Promotions, 1996) Appreciation cassette (Sony, 1997) with Barrister Evening Of Sound cassette (Zmirage Productions, 1997) Good Morning In America (Alagbada, 1999) Abeni has, since the late 70s, been the acknowledged modernizer and leader of the women’s vocal and percussion style known as waka, a close relative of the male-dominated juju, apala and fuji music. Queen Salawa Abeni has grown to a grandma.