I’m The Undisputed Waka Queen

Waka Queen, Alhaja Ibiwunmi Abeni Salawa, spoke with P.M.Entertainment about her new album, the ailment that almost stopped her from singing and her children who play music

You are 51 and still looking good. What is the secret?

It’s God’s favour and hard work.

After your 50th birthday last year, you promised your fans that you will be going to the studio for a new album. What happened?

Well, it’s due to ups and downs. You know I was a bit sick before. Right now, I am back on my feet to record a new album for my fans and loved ones who have been supporting my career through phone calls, facebook messages and personal calls. I feel loved because people, at times, stop me on the road and say are you still on stage among other things. I am ready now.

What is the title of the new album and when will it be released?

It is titled Move On and that is my 40th album and it will be released after the Ramadan period.

At 51, you have 40 albums to your credit. Have you really made money from your albums?

In the past we used to make money but now, the economy is very bad, coupled with piracy. Things are not as they should be.

Have you really made money from sales of your albums?

In the past we made money but now, it’s not easy.

Apart from music, do you do other things?

No, all my life revolves around my music and I am still very active. What I am doing now is to get back on  track and to tell my fans that I am still the same Salawa Abeni no matter the age because age is just a number. I am not tired. I am using the opportunity to thank those who have stood by me.

You have a son named Big Sheriff who is a singer. Are you featuring him in the new album?

No, but I am planning to do a single with him later.

How do you feel having a son who sings Hip Hop music?

Sincerely speaking, my three children play music. Okikiola started it when she was doing her Masters degree in London. That was about six years ago, followed by Sikiru. But the one that surprised me most is Sheriff, who is currently a student of Leeds University. Being a shy person, I thought he will not be serious with it but I was amazed the way he is going. He might take it to another level.

S.K, on his own, won a talent hunt programme in Canada. He is currently abroad. Okiki now runs a record label. So music flows in the family.

Don’t you feel bad that your children are not playing Waka music but other genres of music?

I don’t feel bad, because what they are doing is also music.

Do they rehearse with you?

No, they don’t but it flows naturally.

Have you had cause to stop any of them from singing?

Not really. What I have done and still doing is that I insisted on them having a first degree before venturing into music.

How do you cope as a single parent training those children to that level, having two graduates and one undergraduate?

I believe it’s God’s doing because it is not easy to train one child, let alone three. S.K. got married in Canada recently. So I thank God this is possible because the money I would have used to buy cars, jewelry, clothes and other things is what I used in training them and I believe that if they are successful, they can buy me all those things. Since I didn’t have the opportunity to be educated, my children must be educated.

At 51, do you plan to retire some day?

There is no plan for such. Though I did not create Waka Music, I only modernised it. It’s God-given talent because I have no boss. Nobody can lay claim to have trained me musically.

Are you satisfied with the level of Waka Music?

Waka means song and it is not limited to Waka alone, even those that I trained. So, music is dynamic because the meaning of Waka is song in Hausa language.

So you are the Queen of Song and not Waka Music alone?

No. I am the Queen of Waka Music.

When you were sick, you still attended shows. How was this possible?

I did those things on doctor’s advice because I was told to be where things are happening like mixing with people among other things.

What was the nature of the illness?

I don’t really know, but I had depression. I know it all started about 12 years because I was being weighed down by the death of my son, Idris. That complicated the issue. This really affected me. I had to summon courage to release those albums I did in the past. To be candid, you people, my fans and others contributed to my being alive today. Though I do play at concerts and social engagement, I wasn’t myself then. Thank God things are getting better and I am back to take my rightful position.

What do we expect from the Waka Queen in the next five years?

I don’t plan. It’s only God that plans for me because a lot of water has passed under the bridge.

How do you relax apart from playing music?

As you know, I am an introvert. I don’t go out except on visitation or I have a social engagement. At times, I watch television, read newspapers. Presently, I am trying to visit a few friends.

Despite your level of education, you have improved drastically. What is the secret?

It’s God and my children and a few things I can pick from the internet. But my children are my best teachers and you journalists.

Apart from singing, do you play any instrument?

I play the talking drum.

Apart from your kids who are your assets, how rich are you?

I am not rich and not poor financially. I thank those who have been calling and sending messages even the government of Lagos. I am bold to say that, yes, I am back.

When is your son, Big Sheff, going into the studio?

After his exams. You know that he is in part three now. So I am encouraging him to do that and by the time he finishes from the university, he will go into it professionally.