Untold Story of Love and Stardom: Salawa Abeni's Musical Odyssey

By Bimbo Esho 

In 1976, at just fifteen years old, when most girls her age were still under the close guidance of their parents, Salawa Abeni boldly followed her passion for music. Her courage and determination soon propelled her into the spotlight of Nigerian entertainment.

Her debut album, released under Leader Records, was dedicated to Nigeria's late Head of State, General Murtala Mohammed, whose assassination had shocked the nation. The record became a phenomenal success, emerging as the best-selling Yoruba album ever recorded by a female artist at the time and earning widespread public acclaim.

Salawa Abeni would go on to redefine Waka music, a traditional Yoruba musical genre deeply influenced by Islamic culture. Through her distinctive voice, stage presence, and innovative approach, she transformed the genre from a local tradition into a nationally celebrated form of expression.

Beyond her musical achievements, Salawa's personal life often attracted public attention. Before marrying Lateef Adepoju, the owner of Leader Records, she had been romantically linked to renowned Fuji musician Alhaji Ayinla Kollington. What followed became one of the most talked-about relationships in Nigerian music history.

The love triangle between Salawa Abeni, Lateef Adepoju, and Ayinla Kollington generated considerable public interest. It has long been alleged that following Salawa's separation from Kollington, he released the 1981 song Tani O Jo? ("Who Does the Child Resemble?"), which many interpreted as a public claim regarding the paternity of Salawa's child. In response, it is believed that Salawa addressed the issue in her album Ikilo, asserting through her lyrics that the child indeed belonged to his father.

Kollington was renowned for his sharp lyrical attacks and provocative musical commentary. Some of these verbal exchanges found their way into songs directed at Salawa, reflecting the deeply personal nature of their public relationship and the unique way both artists used music as a medium of communication.

Fate, however, had other plans. Following her separation from Lateef Adepoju, Salawa Abeni released Kolawole Ni Mo Ba Lo ("I Have Gone With Kolawole") in 1984 under Olumo Records, publicly signaling her reunion with Ayinla Kollington. Their relationship blossomed, culminating in marriage in 1986.

To celebrate their union, Salawa released another album, Ife Dara Pupọ ("Love Is Beautiful"), after signing with Kollington Records. Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, the couple captivated audiences across Nigeria. Their personal and professional partnership made them one of the most celebrated couples in the country's music industry, with fans eagerly following both their music and their love story.

In 1991, Salawa released Ile To Jona ("The Burnt House"), a song in which she portrayed the role of a devoted wife sympathizing with her husband's misfortune after a fire destroyed his residence in Alagbado. The song reflected themes of loyalty, resilience, and marital support. Despite these public expressions of affection and solidarity, the marriage eventually ended in divorce in 1994.

Through the triumphs and disappointments of her personal life, Salawa Abeni has consistently maintained that her children remain her greatest source of strength, encouragement, and joy.

One of the greatest disappointments of her career has been her inability to regain ownership of the master recordings of her early albums released under her first husband's record label. These recordings, which represent some of the most commercially successful and creative periods of her career, could have continued generating substantial revenue and preserving her artistic legacy.

In recognition of her immense contribution to Yoruba music and culture, Salawa Abeni was crowned the "Queen of Waka Music" in 1992 by the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III.

Today, her story remains one of talent, resilience, love, heartbreak, reinvention, and enduring success. From a determined teenage girl who dared to pursue her dreams to a cultural icon whose influence transcends generations, Salawa Abeni's journey demonstrates that even after walking through life's fiercest storms, one can still emerge with grace, dignity, and an enduring legacy