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Popular Juju and Highlife musician Janet “St. Janet” Ajilore is dead.
Nigerian gospel juju-tungba musician, composer and songwriter Akinola “Alayo Melody Singer” Michael broke the news on his Instagram page on Sunday.
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Publisher and socialite Femi Davies also announced, in a post on his Facebook page, that the singer died after a brief illness.
Davies wrote: “St Janet (Iyun Janet Ajilore), a popular Nigerian Juju and Highlife musician known for her vibrant live performances, energetic stage presence and socially unfiltered party tracks, is dead.
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“She died after a brief illness on Saturday.”
St. Janet
St. Janet built a reputation for her distinctive blend of humour, satire and bold party-themed commentary, a style that earned her widespread admiration and the nickname “Mama Yabis.”
She gained national attention with her 2013 controversial album “Faaji Plus”, whose sexually explicit and provocative lyrics attracted repeated sanctions from industry bodies, including the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) and the Music Advertising Association of Nigeria (MAAN).
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The Lagos State House of Assembly also prohibited the album from being aired on broadcast stations and played in public places after lawmakers ruled that its content encouraged obscenity.
Despite the controversy, St. Janet remained one of the most recognisable voices in Juju music. Her vibrant stage performances and unconventional approach won her a devoted following both within the genre and among a broader audience.
She became a regular attraction at parties and social gatherings, entertaining audiences with energetic performances and songs that captured the spirit of celebration.
Among her popular recordings were “Olori Ebi”, “All Eyes On Me”, and “Faaji Plus”, among others.
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