Nigeria’s greatest female singer

the creator of Waka Music

the formally crowned Queen of Nigerian Music

the only African woman to have been credited for creating a musical style

Queen Salawa Abeni performs with the 15 piece Waka Modernisers

The formally crowned “Queen of Nigerian Music” Queen Salawa Abeni made her professional debut at the age of 14 and released her first album “Late General Murtala Ramat Mohammed” for Lateef Adepoju’s Leader Records in May 1976.

The album became the first record by a female artist in Nigerian musical history to sell over 1 million copies. She went on to record a further 14 albums for Leader Records and left the company after her relationship with Lateef Adepoju who fathered her first child came to an end. She married one of Nigeria’s greatest singers Kollington Ayinla in 1986 after he signed her to his label, Kollington Records who released her next 15 albums. To date she has released over 60 albums.

In 1992 Salawa Abeni was formally crowned Queen of Waka Music by Obalamidi Adeyemi, The Alaafin of Oyo, one of Nigeria’s traditional rulers for her services to Nigerian music and for selling millions of her records. Queen Salawa Abeni is the only African woman to have been credited for creating a musical style.

Salawa Abeni is a cultural phenomenon whose music crosses ethnic and religious divisions. Her forthright lyrics condemning men for their treatment of their women have made her an icon to millions of Nigerian women. In full flow she becomes one of the most thrilling spectacles in African music today and that is why she headlines all the major festivals in Nigeria performing regularly to 100,000 people at her open air shows.

In Nigeria Queen Salawa Abeni is more than just a singer, she is a star and her every move is followed by the press gangs just like Fela Kuti and King Sunny Ade at the height of their fame. Her pioneering work put her achievements alongside the giants of African music. She reigns supreme amongst women praise singers of her generation.

What is Waka?

 Waka is a term used to describe music created by women. “Waka” developed out of Yoruba folkloric, juju and fuji musical styles. “WAKA” is a remarkable rhythmical music that is driven by the rich eloquence of the talking drums, the infectious bata drums and underpinned by Yoruba ethnic drums. The glorious call-and-response harmonies of backing vocalists and Queen Salawa Abeni’s majestic voice combine to make her “WAKA” music an irresistible journey to the heart of Africa ’s most dynamic culture.

selected discography from over 60 titles

LIVE IN EUROPE, Lagos Records, 2001
GOOD MORNING IN AMERICA , Alagbada Records 2000
APPRECIATION, Sony Records, 1999
BEWARE, Sony Records, 1998
WAKA CARNIVAL, Alagbada Records, 1997
CHEER UP, Alagbada Records, 1996
CONGRATULATIONS, Alagbada Records, 1995
EXPERIENCE, Alagbada Records, 1994
INDIAN WAKA, Kollington Records, LP40, 1990
OMI YALE IBADAN , Kollington Records, LP39, 1990
IROHIN ABO MECCA , Kollington Records, LP38, 1989
IDI ILEKE SYSTEM, Kollington Records, LP34, 1989
MARADONA, Kollington Records, LP32, 1988
WE ARE THE CHILDREN, Kollington Records, LP30, 1988
I LOVE YOU, Kollington Records, LP28, 1987
ABODE AMERICA , Kollington Records, LP22, 1987
IFE DARA PUPO, Kollington Records, LP14, 1986
MOTUNDE BI MOSE NDE, Kollington Records, LP16, 1985
KOLAWOLE MO BALO, Kollington Records, LP7, 1984
OKO TO PEMI LO NISHINA, Kollington Records, LP6, 1984
AGOYA, Leader Records, 1980
SHOOTING STAR, Leader Records, 1980
ENI TORI ELE KU, Leader Records, 1979
IBI LERE, Leader Records 1979
ABODE MECCA , Leader Records 1978
ENI BA SIM KI OJI, Leader Records, 1976
IBA AGBA, Leaders Record, 1975
THE LATE MURTALA MUHAMMED, Leader Records, 1975