10 Facts about Queen Salawa Abeni as she clocks 55

From that little girl nobody believed in to a super star, Queen Salawa Abeni has grown to a grandma. Having started singing quite early in life under the supervision of her parents.

Queen Salawa Abeni Her professional career began at the age of 10 when she walked up to Leader recording label in Lagos and asked to be allowed to play a demo tape. She was turned down as she was seen as a small girl that has nothing to offer. 

The same record label stumbled on her performing in Epe with a large crowd as audience. She was immediately taken to the studio by the label from where she was groomed to be one of the most successful artists in Nigeria. As Queen Salawa Abeni turns 55 today, NAIJ.com wish her many more years and success in her career.

 
Alhaji Kollington Ayinla
Some years back, the Waka music modernizer fell sick and many had thought she will not survive it. With the support of Lagos state government and other well-meaning Nigerians, she survived a stroke attack and is back on her feet once again.

Here 10 things you need to know about Queen Salawa Abeni who believed in herself even as a child with the help of her parents.Queen 

Queen Salawa Abeni now and then 

1. Salawa Abeni started singing at the tender age of 9. 

2. She released her debut album in 1976 titled Late General Murtala Ramat Mohammed under Leader records. 

3. She is the first recording female artist to sell over a million copies in Nigeria with her first album. 

4. At the age of 16 QSA formed her musical group called The Waka Modernisers in 1977. 

5. She was with Leader Records from 1976 to 1985 under which she released 14 records. 

Queen Salawa Abeni, Korede Bello, Chidinma Ekile, Falz, Kenny Saint Best and other celebrities 

6. She was married to fuji music lord Alhaji Kollington Ayinla popularly known as Kollington and together they have children among them are Sheriff and Okikola. 

7. With her marriage to Kollington she joined his record label in 1986 till 1994 when they parted ways. 

8. She released 10 records under Kollington Records.  Queen Salawa Abeni, D’banj and Big Sheff

 9. She was crowned Queen of Waka Music by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi in 1992. 

10. QSA’s son with Kollington Sheriff followed his parents’ footstep as he sings hip hop with the stage name Big Sheff with whom she did a remix of her chart busting song Gentle Lady. Watch Queen Salawa’s hit song Cheer Up video below: