Controversial Juju Singer Saint Janet Dies

Controversial Juju and Highlife singer, Iyun Ayilore, popularly known as Saint Janet, has died, bringing an end to a career that drew both admiration and criticism for its unconventional style.

The singer’s manager, Jide Bass, confirmed her death on Sunday but did not disclose the cause or circumstances surrounding her passing.

Saint Janet carved out a unique place in Nigeria’s music industry by combining traditional Juju and Highlife rhythms with sexually explicit lyrics, street slang and satirical storytelling. Her style earned her widespread attention and frequent controversy throughout her career.

She was popularly known as the General Overseer of the Sinners’ Chapel and St Bottle’s Cathedral, nicknames that reflected her humorous and unconventional stage identity. She also became known for producing provocative adaptations of popular Christian gospel songs, a practice that often attracted criticism from religious groups and sections of the public.

Her music faced repeated censorship from conventional broadcast platforms. One of her most popular albums, Faaji Plus, was reportedly banned from television and radio airplay on three different occasions because of its explicit lyrical content.

Despite the restrictions, the album enjoyed remarkable success outside mainstream media. It became a favourite in bars, hotels, clubs and other entertainment spots, particularly in Lagos, where it gained a loyal following during the early and mid-2010s.

Saint Janet was equally recognised for her energetic and lengthy stage performances, which helped sustain her popularity despite limited exposure on traditional media.

Among her notable musical projects were Olori Ebi, Ore Tuntun, Bottle Cathedral, Value Bar Osogbo, and American Swagger, all of which reflected her distinctive blend of humour, social commentary and adult-themed entertainment.

Before pursuing music professionally, Saint Janet obtained a diploma in Mass Communication from Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Her musical journey began at the age of four when she joined her local church choir. At 18, she became a backup vocalist with the Los Kenge Highlife/Juju Band in Abeokuta.

It was during her time with the band that she met her husband, Kayode Iyun. The couple later got married and had a son, Orinayo Michael.

Her death marks the end of a career that challenged convention and left a distinctive imprint on Nigeria’s Juju music scene.