Waka Queen, Salawa Abeni, has said that she encountered her destiny as a musician at a place her father asked her to work as a maid.
She said it was in the process that she came across artistes who had been enjoying stardom.
The woman who rose from grass to grace has just clocked 60 and she has been talking about her journey.
According to her, she had the opportunity to watch TV looking through the window of a couple.
While doing this, she saw stars such as King Sunny Ade, Sikiru Ayinde Barrister and I Show Pepper in performances.
“I was moved by what they were doing. And I said, ‘I too want to be like this,’ she said during an interview with TVC.
Salawa came into the limelight some 40 years ago, following in the footsteps of deceased waka singer, Batili Alake and Kudiratu Alaragbo.
Although they started before her, she eventually became the biggest star as far as the genre is concerned.
Generally among Yoruba female musicians, Salawa, popularly called the Waka Queen, has towered and endured.
Some of them, like Foyeke Ajangila, Iya Laduke and the late Comfort Omoge, she has also towered and endured.
The younger breed include Queen Ayo Balogun and gospel acts such as Tope Alabi, Esther Igbekele and Shola Allyson.
In spite of the influence of such ‘invasion’ of hip hop, Salawa has remained relevant, keeping the traditional genre alive.
Some female singer have also emerged in the fuji arena but none has really hit the top
Perhaps the one who might have done so died too early and that is Iyabo o Sa Nle.
Interestingly, has experienced many challenges, including marital issues and ailment.
Besides, she says the fact that she did not have opportunity for western education affected her.
She is, however, happy that, at 60, she is alive and relevant.
“Whatever you want to be, just have determination, you will succeed,” she said during the interview.
