St. Janet: Nigerian Singer Banned for Explicit Lyrics

St. Janet, born Omotoyosi Kayode Iyun Ajilore in Abeokuta, Ogun State, was a prominent Nigerian juju and highlife singer.

She began her music career as a backup vocalist in the Los Kenge band and later married fellow musician Kayode Iyun. St.

Janet earned a diploma in Mass Communication before dedicating herself to music. Her stage name "Saint" was given by her bandleader.

In a 2013 interview, she revealed that she started using explicit lyrics in her performances after audience requests, which led to increased criticism, particularly as a female artist in her genre. Her 2013 album faced bans from the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) and the Music Advertising Association of Nigeria (MAAN) due to its explicit content, with the Lagos State House of Assembly subsequently banning it from public play.

Despite these challenges, St. Janet claimed the bans enhanced her visibility, and she continued to perform at various events, releasing over 20 albums during her career.