A longtime backup singer of late Nigerian Juju and Highlife musician, Iyun Ajilore, popularly known as Saint Janet, has revealed why the singer moved from gospel Juju to songs with sexually explicit themes.
The backup singer, Sunkanmi, popularly known as Suko, said the change was driven by the response she received from audiences at social events.
Suko, who said he had known Saint Janet for more than 25 years, made this known in an interview with Alejo TV.
He recalled that he first met the musician when she was a backup singer for Nurse Kenge, while he worked as a freelance drummer.
According to him, Saint Janet initially combined Juju with gospel music and even recorded a project which received little attention.
Suko said despite her hard work and regular performances at weddings, bars and beer parlours, the gospel songs did not attract the audience and financial returns she expected.
He said this prompted Saint Janet to experiment with a different musical style based on events and activities happening around her during performances.
Suko explained that she began incorporating humorous and romantic situations involving people at social gatherings into her songs.
According to him, the new style quickly attracted the attention of audiences, leading to more money being sprayed on stage and increased bookings from clubs and bars.
He, however, stressed that Saint Janet did not completely abandon gospel music.
Suko recalled an occasion at a wedding where the musician was performing gospel songs before members of the bride’s family requested her newer style.
He said although the band initially raised concerns because children were present, the audience insisted.
Suko said the response was immediate, as guests sprayed more money when Saint Janet performed the newer songs than when she sang gospel music.
He added that even some churches later requested the songs despite their explicit content.
Suko said he remained with Saint Janet’s band because their relationship had grown beyond music into a family bond.
He also recalled the singer’s final performance, describing it as an emotional moment.
According to him, Saint Janet publicly acknowledged his years of support and later gave him her wristwatch and sprayed money on him.
Suko said he would have returned the gift if he had known that the performance would be their last meeting.
Meanwhile, the children of Saint Janet have revealed that the singer complained of chest pain and experienced difficulty breathing shortly before her death.
Her daughter, Omowunmi, said Saint Janet had performed at an overnight show in Sango, Ogun State, the previous night without showing any sign of illness.
She said the singer returned home after the performance, slept and went to the market the following day.
Omowunmi said her mother returned home around 6 p.m. and prepared her own meal before she was later seen clutching her chest.
She said Saint Janet complained that she felt as if something was dropping from her chest, while her breathing became irregular.
The singer was subsequently taken to hospital, where she was admitted and placed on oxygen.
Her son, Orinayo, said medical personnel attended to her shortly after arrival but later discovered that she had lost her pulse.
