The Waka music legend opens up about the dark side of Nigeria’s music industry and how she survived it all
Waka music icon and living legend, Salawa Abeni, has broken her silence on the battles she fought behind the scenes early in her career — and e no be small thing. The celebrated singer has revealed that jealousy and outright diabolic attacks from some of her senior colleagues in the industry nearly pushed her to abandon her music career entirely.
When Success Attracts the Wrong Kind of Attention
As any Nigerian will tell you, the moment you begin to shine, not everybody go happy for you. Salawa Abeni found this out the hard way. According to the Waka queen, some established acts in the industry at the time were so threatened by her rising star that they allegedly resorted to spiritual means to pull her down.
“We know how this thing works in Nigeria,” many fans have responded online. “Once you dey blow, the attacks go come — from where you least expect.”
Salawa didn’t mince words when she described what she experienced as nothing short of diabolical — a word that carries serious weight in our Nigerian context, where the line between professional rivalry and spiritual warfare is one many people understand deeply.
She Nearly Quit Everything
The pressure was so intense that the iconic singer — whose voice has soundtracked countless Yoruba celebrations, owambes, and cultural events across generations — considered walking away from the very industry that made her a household name.
Imagine that! A woman whose music has become a cultural institution, whose contributions to Waka music have earned her international recognition, was at a point ready to pack up and leave it all behind. That alone tells you how serious the situation was.
The Strength That Kept Her Going
But as the Yoruba elders say, “Eni Olorun ba gbe, afefe ko le wo.” (He whom God lifts, the wind cannot bring down.) Salawa Abeni stood her ground, faced her battles, and emerged victorious.
Today, she stands as one of the most celebrated voices in Nigerian music history — a testament to resilience, faith, and an unshakeable love for her craft.
A Warning to Young Nigerian Artists
Her story is one that many upcoming artists in Nigeria need to hear. The music industry, whether in Lagos, Abuja, or anywhere else, can be a beautiful place and a brutal one at the same time. Talent alone is never enough — you need spiritual fortitude, strong support systems, and the wisdom to recognise when your enemies are not always outside your circle.
Salawa Abeni’s journey reminds us that behind every legend is a story of survival that the highlight reels never show.
What do you think about Salawa Abeni’s revelations? Have you or someone you know experienced similar challenges in a competitive Nigerian industry? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!
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