How jealousy and ‘diabolical attacks’ nearly derailed my music career, Salawa Abeni says

Salawa Abeni says jealousy and alleged “diabolical attacks” from senior colleagues nearly ended her music career before it had properly begun.

The 65-year-old Nigerian waka music icon, known as the Queen of Waka Music, began performing at age nine and released her debut hit album, “Late General Murtala Ramat Mohammed,” in 1976. Speaking on Channels Television’s “Rubin’s Mind,” she recalled occasions when she lost her voice and even vomited blood before or during performances.

Abeni said older musicians sometimes reacted angrily when audiences left their performances to hear the young singer. She described that reaction as jealousy, while acknowledging that calling the conduct diabolical was a strong claim.

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We could not imagine that something like this could happen.

She also recounted an incident when her band waited backstage for another group to finish. When it was finally her turn, she said the amplifier connecting the microphones malfunctioned, preventing people from hearing her voice. On another occasion, she said rain suddenly began falling only where she was standing as she prepared to perform.

Abeni said she never regarded these experiences as mere superstition. Despite the obstacles, she continued along what she called a long and difficult journey in music.

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Diabolical is not superstition.