The late Nigerian Juju and Highlife musician, Iyun Ajilore, popularly known as Saint Janet, reportedly shifted from gospel Juju to sexually explicit music after discovering that the new style attracted larger audiences, more bookings and higher earnings at social events.
Her longtime backup singer, Sunkanmi, popularly known as Suko, disclosed this in an interview with Alejo TV on Tuesday.
Suko, who said he had worked with Saint Janet for more than 25 years, recalled that the singer began her career as a backup vocalist for Nurse Kenge before forming her own band.
According to him, Saint Janet initially combined Juju with gospel music, with the band holding rehearsals at a Celestial Church.
«“She started as a Juju and gospel mixture. Our first studio recording was interesting, but people did not really listen to it. She spent money on that particular project and the cassette became dusty under her bed,” he said.»
Suko said the poor reception of the gospel songs became noticeable during performances at weddings, bars and beer parlours, prompting the singer to experiment with a different sound.
He explained that Saint Janet began incorporating romantic and sexually suggestive themes from situations she observed at social gatherings into her performances.
«“She started and founded this explicit sexual style, like a pastor style, by using people at the event to preach in her song but romantically since it was a worldly setting,” Suko said.»
He added that the approach involved turning activities at events into entertainment through music.
«“When she experimented with it, we got more money on stage,” he said.»
According to Suko, the new style subsequently increased Saint Janet’s bookings, particularly from clubs and bars.
«“Then she started getting bookings as a result of that from the clubs or bars,” he added.»
He, however, stressed that the musician did not completely abandon gospel music after embracing the new style.
«“Still, she did not backslide from gospel music. She still got inspiration to sing gospel songs,” Suko said.»
He recalled an occasion at a wedding where Saint Janet was performing gospel songs before members of the bride’s family asked her to perform the newer style that had become popular.
Suko said the band initially objected because children were present at the event, but the family insisted.
«“When she started singing the song, people started spraying and we made more money than when she was singing gospel songs at the wedding,” he recalled.»
He further claimed that some churches also invited the band to perform the explicit songs.
«“We have gotten to some churches where they said we should sing those explicit-rated 18 songs,” he said.»
Suko said he remained with Saint Janet because of their longstanding relationship, which he described as having grown into a family bond.
He also recalled the singer’s final performance and said she appeared to acknowledge his years of loyalty and support.
«“Help me greet Suko, he has been with me for the longest, he has supported me,” Suko quoted Saint Janet as saying during the performance.»
He said the singer also gave him her wristwatch and sprayed money on him.
«“Assuming I knew it was a goodbye, I would have just returned it and told her that it seemed you were going,” he said.»
Saint Janet’s children had earlier disclosed that the musician complained of chest pain and experienced difficulty breathing before she died.
Her daughter, Omowunmi, said the singer had performed at an overnight show in Sango, Ogun State, the previous night and showed no obvious signs of illness.
According to her, Saint Janet returned home after the performance, went to the market the following day and later prepared her own meal.
Omowunmi said she subsequently noticed her mother clutching her chest and struggling to breathe.
«“She said she felt like something wanted to drop off her chest. Her breathing was no longer regular,” she said.»
The musician was later taken to a hospital, where she was admitted and placed on oxygen. Her son, Orinayo, said medical personnel attended to her but later discovered that she had lost her pulse.
