‘I used to vomit blood’ — Salawa Abeni recalls ordeal as child artiste

By Daily Hibiscus News

Salawa Abeni has disclosed the physical and emotional challenges she endured as a child artiste at the start of her music career.

The 65-year-old singer, speaking in an interview monitored on Channels Television on Sunday, recalled how she was often made to stand on a stool to reach the microphone while performing alongside older musicians and how the strain once caused her to vomit blood.

“When I finally started music, they used to call me Salawa o, Salawa Abeni o. Some said Omo Kekere, some said nine years old,” she said.

“Anytime they used to call me to come and play, older people used to be there too to come and play. They would be singing before I got there.

“But when it is time for me, they will give me a stool to stand on so my mouth can reach the microphone.

“When it is time for me to sing, my voice will go. I won’t be able to sing. Sometimes I will be vomiting blood.

“But what will be will be. It is a long journey. It is a lot of obstacles.”

Abeni attributed the episodes to jealousy from those who questioned how a young girl could suddenly attract such widespread attention.

“It was jealousy. People saying that you, this small girl, who is your parent? Where did you come from that you just come, and everybody will be shouting your name?” she said.

Salawa began her music career in the 1970s. She released her debut album ‘Late General Murtala Ramat Mohammed’ in 1976.

Abeni continued recording with Leader Records until 1986 before joining the record label of her then-husband, Kollington Ayinla. She remained with the label until 1994.

In 1992, she was crowned the ‘Queen of Waka Music’ by Lamidi Adeyemi, the then Alaafin of Oyo.

Waka is an Islamic-influenced traditional Yoruba music genre that was popularised by Batile Alake and predates genres such as juju and fuji.