Waka music queen, Queen Salawa Abeni, has revealed that she battled paralysis for five years following the death of her first son.

The veteran singer made the disclosure during an interview with YouTube channel, Oyinmomo, where she recounted some of the most difficult periods of her life and music career.

Salawa said she became paralysed from her neck down after the death of her son, leaving her dependent on others for basic activities.

“I faced challenges when my first son died such that I was paralysed for five years. I was taken from place to place in search of healing but despite that, I never got tired of music.

“In fact, when my siblings were crying, I would tell them to stop because I knew I was going to get well. I got paralysed from neck to my legs. I was being bathed and dressed for. I thank God for his mercy.”

Reflecting on the challenges she encountered in the early stages of her music career, the singer said performing music in those days was far from easy.

According to her, she sometimes experienced disturbing health episodes while performing on stage, including vomiting blood.

Salawa, who has remained associated with Waka music for over four decades, used the interview to clarify the history of the genre and distance herself from claims that she was its creator.

“I started out very young but there were older women, even older than my parents, that were already singing Waka music. So, I didn’t create Waka music, people were already doing it,” she said.