Salawa Abeni Details Jealousy, Diabolical Attacks in Early Career
Salawa Abeni, the 65-year-old Waka music icon, revealed on Channels Television’s “Rubin’s Mind” on Sunday night, September 6, 2026, that jealousy and alleged diabolical attacks from senior colleagues nearly ended her career at its start. She began in 1976 with the debut album “Late General Murtala Ramat Mohammed” and described how elders would give her a stool to reach the microphone, then her voice would fail and she would sometimes vomit blood.
Abeni said the treatment stemmed from jealousy—seniors questioning her parentage and feeling threatened when audiences flocked to her performances. She cited specific incidents: after waiting for another group to finish, the amplifier setup was altered so her microphone could not be heard; when she tried to sit due to her small stature, rain would fall only where she stood, forcing her to stay upright and dispersing the crowd.
She insisted these were not superstition but real obstacles, noting she never considered them mere belief. Despite the challenges, Abeni persisted and produced hit songs including “Iba Omode Iba Agba,” “Shooting Stars,” “We Are The Children,” “Maradonna,” “Cheer Up,” and “Beware,” establishing herself as a prominent Waka musician.
What can established artists do to mentor newcomers instead of seeing them as threats, and how might the industry address jealousy and sabotage to nurture talent?