The late Juju and Highlife musician, Iyun Ajilore, popularly known as Saint Janet, turned to sexually explicit songs after discovering that the style attracted larger audiences, more bookings and higher earnings at social events, according to her longtime backup singer, Sunkanmi “Suko.”
Suko, who said he had known Saint Janet for more than 25 years, made the disclosure during an interview with Alejo TV.
He said he met the singer when she was still a backup singer for Nurse Kenge, while he worked as a freelance drummer. He later joined her band when she decided to pursue a solo career.
According to him, Saint Janet initially combined Juju with gospel music and rehearsed with her band at a Celestial Church.
“She started with gospel Juju,” he said, noting that the band’s first recording attracted little attention despite the money invested in the project.
Suko said the singer continued performing at weddings, bars and beer parlours but struggled to get the desired audience response while performing gospel songs.
He explained that Saint Janet subsequently developed a new style that incorporated sexually suggestive themes and events happening around her during performances.
“She used happenings in her song to create a form of entertainment. When she experimented with it, we got more money on stage,” he said.
The new approach, he added, soon increased the band’s bookings from clubs and bars.
Suko, however, stressed that Saint Janet did not abandon gospel music despite the success of her new style.
He recalled an occasion at a wedding where she was performing gospel songs before members of the bride’s family asked her to switch to the explicit style.
“We complained that kids were around, but they disagreed and said it was not a problem,” he said.
According to him, the financial difference became evident when the singer switched styles.
“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 said.
Suko added that some churches also invited the band to perform the explicit songs.
He said he remained with Saint Janet throughout the years because their professional relationship had developed into a family bond.
Reflecting on her final performance, Suko said the singer publicly acknowledged his longstanding support and gave him her wristwatch.
“She so appreciated me, but not publicly on stage. 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 singer complained of chest pain and experienced difficulty breathing shortly before her death.
Her daughter, Omowunmi, said the musician had performed at a show in Sango, Ogun State, the previous night without showing any sign of illness.
She later developed breathing difficulties at home and was taken to hospital, where she was placed on oxygen. Her son, Orinayo, said medical personnel later discovered that she had lost her pulse.
