Salawa Abeni reveals five-year paralysis following son's death

Waka music veteran Salawa Abeni has revealed that she suffered from paralysis for five years following the death of her first son. During an interview with the YouTube channel Oyinmomo, the singer disclosed that she was paralyzed from the neck down, requiring assistance with basic activities such as bathing and dressing.

Abeni noted that despite her physical condition and the search for healing, she remained committed to her music career. She also reflected on health struggles during her early career, including instances of vomiting blood while performing.

Addressing the history of her genre, Abeni clarified that she did not create Waka music, noting that older women were already performing the style before she began her career. Abeni, who was crowned Queen of Waka Music by the Alaafin of Oyo in 1992, released her first album in 1976, which became the first recording by a female Yoruba artist to sell over one million copies in Nigeria.