Salawa Abeni was only 12 years old when she came into the limelight which altered her status entirely, becoming one of, if not the youngest female to have recorded an album in Nigeria. But despite her profession as an Entertainer, she had tumultuous relationships.
She met Alhaji Lateef Adepoju a record chief in 1975 but never had an affair with him until some years later, Adepoju and Salawa went on a pilgrimage to Mecca together in 1978. Alhaji Adepoju thereafter asked for her hand in marriage during the controversial 'Tani e jo'? song by Alhaji Ayinla Kollington. Adepoju and Salawa's relationship produced a boy they named Idris Olanrewaju (now late) The relationship came to an end when Adepoju angrily hurled a jug at Salawa when she questioned him about one Bukky she suspected him of dating.
Kollington and Salawa became an item after the break up with Alhaji Adepoju. The couple fell head over heels in love, and they were inseparable. But everything was not going on as smoothly as expected because she met other wives in Kollington's house. Salawa was later accused of advising one of the wives to abort a pregnancy which resulted in a serious tragedy. An allegation she denied to no avail. Again Salawa and Kollington's marriage was over.
In 1991 or thereabouts Salawa Abeni released an album titled Experience in which she wallowed in self-pity which she was able to pass on to many of her listeners. It was so apparent she was going through a bad time and was feeling incredibly down when she recorded the song.
She started the intro thus,
🎵Ibi t'aiye ba yisi ni hun o bawon yisi 2ce
Lori oro yi mo wo ile aiye
Ile aiye yi o ga o ribintin
Eyin Omo Adamo akoba adaba kamari gbogbo wa!
She then borrowed some lines from Uncle Tunji Oyelana to drive home her points. She sings,
Mode inu ile, mo b'ololufe mi soro
O ni ki nwa bora, oro ara ko lo nsemi
Olufe ni paga
Kilode to sorikodo Wunmi?
Moba ko moba ro
Oro ile aiye mi lo nsemi etc.
She actually burst into tears when she said "Mo gboju soke omi boloju mi Wunmi"
Salawa acknowledged she wasn't prepared to be single and living an independent life when she sang,
"Mo ke p'aiye titi e ma somi di Mummy ndagbe e ko jale e o gba
She sang further,
"Boba wola Oluwa mi
Ibi to tile lemi si
Abeni o ni pofo lola Eledumare o"
On the flip side of the album Salawa again in reference to the abortion allegation, asked,
Eyin Eyan, se rope iru e sewi o?
E rope iru e sewi
K'orogun pe Orogun pe kolo seyun
Araye akamara o!
Some of the lyrics cut deep and used to give me an emotional reaction. I recall having so much pity for her when I watched the Experience musical video where she featured a dark, tall and handsome guy who acted like a lover boy and the late dancer Iyabo Yoyo. Salawa herself was also young, dark and beautiful and she was seen hugging the guy. I was willing and ready to offer her a shoulder to cry on, and if possible to reach out to Kollington to plead on her behalf to have her back. That was the type of huge sympathy the song was able to invoke. It was a relief for me when she later switched to Saje song when she sang,
Mo lo s'agbo Salawa ni Satide o, Sunday moto wole, ómode wonnyi moti rogo lowo Bobo mi Adisade kan Gbengus Bobo etc.
She later switched to Baba legba's song, she sings,
🎵 Bobatiri ni e wi
Ala ki b'omo leru koma le ro
Bobatiri ni e wi
It was the time Kollington's house got burnt and she used the album to appreciate those who came to the aid of her estranged husband with financial support, the list included the then head of state General Ibrahim Babangida, Chief Alex Akinyele and many notable companies and musicians. She however committed a blunder when she said "Gbogbo inkan amusagbara gbogbo lotijo o" Kollington was quick to refute that in a subsequent album when he said "Agbara nbe ko jona mole"
Things really got so complicated, but despite that, Salawa managed to take charge of her life and she is now happily married again to Rasheed Adahunse, a retired Customs Officer. I wish the couple all the best.
I watched the video last night and it certainly brought back old memories, both good and bad.
SOA Olaribigbe
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