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Salawa Abeni

WakaNigeria

The Queen of Waka Music, Salawa Abeni revolutionized Nigerian popular music in the 1980s by elevating the traditionally female-led Yoruba vocal tradition into a nationwide phenomenon that dominated airwaves and dance floors across West Africa. Her rapid-fire vocal delivery, infectious percussion arrangements, and celebratory lyrics about everyday life made waka accessible to urban audiences while honoring its grassroots origins, earning her the distinction of being the first woman to win the Afrobeat Artist Award. Through her prolific recordings and electrifying performances, Abeni proved that women-centered music could achieve massive commercial success and cultural influence, paving the way for generations of female artists across the continent.

Discography

Albums

Vol.2: Iba Agba

1976

1[A] Iba Agba / Aba Ori /Olorun Ni Shola / Mo Ba Tirin Rin / Omo Abule Sowo

2[B] Aba Nise Loluwa/Ibukun Orisun Iye / Egbe Oba Koya Kekki / OrinOwe / Awa Rawa Nigbogun

Vol.3: Shooting Stars

1977

1[A] Shooting Stars / Gun Nu Gun Ki Ku Lewe / Kolawolw Esq. / Late Juliana / Oyeku

2[B] Ise Logun Ise / Iba Awon Iya Mi / Ojowu Obinrin / Bola Ekudayo / late Jacob Oluwole

Vol.4: Ijamba Mottor

1977

1[A] Ijamba Mottor / Ifa Nla / Eke Ko Dara / Oran'mo Nise Faiya Ti / Aiba Se Orie / Se Ojisemi

2[B] Idileke Ysystem / Life Play Ibile

Vol.5: Okiki Kan To Sele / Yinka Esho Esor

1977

[A] Okiki Kan To Sele / Ore Meta

1977

1[B] Eni Ba Sun Koji / Orogun Buruku / Eni Ri Ki O Mu / Ori Apon Jeya / Yinka Esho Esor

Vol.9: Omi Yale

1980

1[A] Waka Disco / Omi Yale

2[B] Awon Soga Di Omo Ise / Eniti Ko Kewu

Vol.10: Ija O Dara

1981

1[A] 002 Waka Disco / Ibi Lere / Omo Eru Mi Tara / Happy Brothers / Idale Kan Ti Mo Lo

2[B] Ija O Dara / Irinse Tuntun / Alhaji S. Akorede / Late Princess Aderohun

Vol.11: Ikilo

1981

1[A] Ejire / Ikilo / Alhaji M. Balogun / Ileri Yin / Egbe Akodo Club

2[B] Ole Darun / Oro Dende / Ori To Miate / Baba Re Ni O Jo / Mo Ti Palumida

Vol.12: Eni Tori Ele Ku

1982

1[A] Ya A Alau / Pasan Olo Ginni / Oro Adele Beere / Mo Fopon Pawon / Eni Tori Ele Ku

2[B] Agbele Pota / Olode Yago / Iya Pa Gun / Seleru / Ohun Eni

Challenge Cup 84

1983

1[A] Agbo Fi Kogbon / Challenge Cup 82 / Stationery Stores Football Club / Ade Owo

2[B] Oluwa O Pe Mejo / Oba Disu Farombi / Sikiru Oladunjoye / Late Aduloju

Adieu Alhaji Haruna Ishola

1984

1[A] Jomi Jomi / Hausubilai / National Ladies Club / Late Alhaji Haruna Ishola

2[B] Depe / United Social Club / Mo Gbe De / Morufu Akilo / Iyo Yo

Kolawole Mo Ba Lo

1984

India Waka

1984

Ife Dara Pupo

1985

Mo Tun De Bi Mo Se Nde

1986

Awa Lagba

1987

Abode America

1988

1[A] E Ma TOri Wa Re Jaja Ku / Agbe Lo La Ro / Oluwa Ngbere Bo Wa / Abode America / Ori Mi Ada

Ileya Special

1988

I Love You

1988

We Are the Children

1989

Maradonna

1989

1[A] Eje Kaso Faiye Gbo / Maradona / Ohun Ti Oyin Finse Afara / Kini To Alafia / Ire Ni Mo Gba

Candle

1990

1[A] Omo Araiye Le / Candle Episode / Salawa System / Temi Onisorose

2[B] Mo Seba Agba / Omo Alade L'Ade Ye / Kuluboku Dance / Late Alhaji Aliyu / Kajo'La Kajo-Lowo

Experience

1991

1[A] Ile To Jona / Mo Gboju Soke / Mo Lo S'Agbo Salawa

Congratulations

1991

Cheer Up

1992

1[A] Cheer Up

2[B] late Simbiat Atinuke Abiola

Waka Carnival

1994

1[A] Olorun Ko Fi Adun Si Oro Mi / Waka Carnival / Omo Rora Arinka Nja Bata

Beware

1995

Live In London '96

1996

1[A] Contents not indicated

2[B] Contents not indicated

Appreciation

1997

Evening of Sound

1997

1[A] Contents not indicated

2[B] Contents not indicated

In America

1997

1[A] Mo Gbere Mi Dode / Ninu Elere Olori Ni Wa / Abeni Mo Gbodu De / Late Alhaji Raimi Tejumola

Good Morning in America

1999

1Appreciation / Late Chief MKO Abiola / Premadonna

Salawa Live In Europe

2001

1[A] Track titles not shown

2[B] Track titles not shown

Afri-T

2002

1[A] Lagos Bombs Blast / Kadara / Ara Tuntun / Amudal Wal Shukura / You To O Gee / Iku Salo Lodo Mi

2[B] Ise Oluma Tobi / Ko Le Baje / Babagunte Obinrin / Late Idris Akanji Adepoju / Nasfat

Equal Right

2004

1[A] Orin Tiwa / Equal Right / File Bee

2[B] Boluwa Tife / Feyikogbon / Alhaja (Dr.) Abibat Mogaji

3200?

4Queen Salawa Abeni

The Truth

2004

1[A] Adura Mi / Ni Bi Niger Lo / Otito Koro / Alhaja Taibatu

2[B] Abeni Lode / Mo Gba Fun Olorun / Iya Kise Omi-obe / Tele Mi Lo Sagbo-Salawa

3Special thanks to John Beadle.

4Last updated on December 21, 20209.

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