Biography
EARLY LIFE
Salawa Abeni Alidu, an Ijebu Yoruba from Ijebu Waterside, in Ogun State, began her professional career in waka music when she released her debut album titled, Late General Murtala Ramat Mohammed, in 1976, on Leader Records. It became the first recording by a female artist in Yoruba Songs to sell over a million copies in Nigeria.
CAREER
Abeni continued recording for Leader until 1986, when she ended a relationship with the record label's owner, Lateef Adepoju. She later joined Kollington Ayinla's record label, staying with him until 1994. She was crowned "Queen of Waka Music" by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi in 1992. Waka is an Islamic-influenced, traditional Yoruba music style, popularized by Batile Alake; it is a much older genre than jùjú and fuji. Salawa Abeni has appeared in several Nollywood films such as Aso Ebi Diaries (2025), Picture Perfect (2016), and Kadara (2002).
PERSONAL LIFE
Salawa Abeni was married to Kollington Ayinla. In 2018, Abeni created controversy when she advised fellow musicians to "stay away from homosexuality", likening it to drug addiction. Activists called her comments "a display of ignorance".
Filmography
No filmography available for this person yet.
Box Office
Weekly Top Grossing3 Cold Dishes
₦5,331,351.00
Gingerrr
₦12,727,775.00
Gingerrr
₦21,139,500.00
The Herd
₦16,977,673.00
3 Cold Dishes
₦15,261,240.00
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Popularity Score
Top 100% of African actors
