Tragedy in Nigeria’s Music Industry As Juju Star St. Janet Dies After Brief Illness

By Segun Adebayo

Nigeria’s Juju music industry has been thrown into mourning following the passing on of veteran singer Iyun Janet Ajilore, popularly known as St. Janet, after a brief illness.

Per Second News learnt of her passing early Sunday morning, sending shockwaves across the indigenous music scene as fans, peers, and industry colleagues joined in mourning.

As of now, her family has yet to issue an official statement regarding her passing or release details regarding funeral arrangements.

Known affectionately as the “Mama Yabis of Saint Bottles Cathedral,” St. Janet became a prominent voice in Juju music.

She built a loyal fanbase through vibrant live shows and clever, culturally rich compositions that seamlessly captured the spirit of everyday Yoruba life.

At a time when the Juju genre was largely dominated by male performers, she distinguished herself with an unmistakable stage presence, powerful vocals and a repertoire that celebrated culture, relationships, social values and community life.

Her performances at weddings, parties and major social events earned her a loyal following across Nigeria and among Nigerians in the diaspora.

Her music was particularly popular for its blend of traditional Yoruba proverbs, humour and praise-singing, elements that made her one of the most sought-after entertainers on the social circuit.

Over the years, she built a reputation for delivering captivating performances that kept audiences engaged for hours.

Among her notable works was Yabis, the song that earned her the enduring nickname “Mama Yabis.”

The record, alongside several other culturally rich compositions, reinforced her status as one of the leading female figures in Juju music.

Throughout a career spanning several decades, St. Janet remained committed to promoting indigenous music, staying relevant in an evolving entertainment landscape without abandoning the cultural identity that defined her artistry.

Her death has since sparked an outpouring of grief from colleagues, fans and stakeholders in the entertainment industry, many of whom have taken to social media to celebrate her life, legacy and immense contributions to the growth of Juju music.