Salawa Abeni: My life, my music, my story
He’s always saying he can’t start going fetish because his daughter wants to sing. He tried to dissuade me from pursuing music, but I remained commit- ted to my craft.
I don’t believe in idolatry or using strange objects for worship.
My faith is in God, and I’ve always been devoted. While some might have engaged in such practices, I’ve never resorted to harmful juju. My ‘medicine’ is prayer, seeking divine guidance and provision. I’ve done prayers, what we call “Aajo,” seeking divine provision and guidance.
My children, including Deola and Sikiru, are all singers, but Big Sheriff has taken his passion to the next level. I encouraged him to pursue music after completing his university education.
Life has taught me many valuable lessons that there won’t be enough space to publish it in your newspaper. I’ve faced challenges, including having a child at 17 who passed away, and being sick for five years. But I’ve learned to persevere. As a musician, I was sick, almost paralysed for five years and now I can walk.
What I did not do, they said Ididitin Alhaji Kollington Ayinla’s house. I didn’t want to say anything about what Alhaji Kollington said about me on social media recently. There’s no comment in that area.
I met him as a young girl at an occasion. He approached me and it’s God’s wish we will have children together as a couple.
I started having children for him in my late 20s. I’m not the first or the last wife of his, in fact, I don’t think I got any position as a wife in his house. He said I owed him a child and I gave him the child.
No comment.
I follow a healthy diet, exercise regularly on my treadmill, and I don’t drink or smoke. On stage, I might have a coke, but otherwise, I stick to water.
Yes, I started singing Waka standing because I was young and my microphone back then contributed to my standing to sing. I’m often credited as the pioneer of standing while singing Waka.
I was sent to live with Mr and Mrs Otun as a house help when I was young. That was at Igbogun in Epe, Lagos. My teacher, Mr Shobowale, encouraged my passion for music, and my guardian supported me. I started my music career in their house.
Did your parents struggle financially?
Yes, my family faced financial challenges. My mum was sick for 15 years, and my dad was a sherman. I lived with my guardian for seven years.
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