For Nigerian music enthusiasts of
the 90s, the name Azeezat will always ring a bell.
With her show-stopping hairstyles,
sonorous voice and energetic stage performances, Azeezat Niniola Allen wormed
her way into the heart of many Nigerians. Now nicknamed the ‘Queen of
Love’, contemporary soul singer Azeezat is back with a new single titled ‘My
Valentine’ – and with a classy video to show for it. Throughout the holidays,
the petite lady was breathing the studio air and now has this love song ready.
“My Valentine is a love song.
It is a song of dedication. It is a song full of sincere promises to a true
love. Actually, I released it as part of my first album 'Simply Magnificent'.
As Valentine’s Day was approaching, I decided to remix it; and that’s how I
visualise it. Every time you feel like renewing your vows, you will
always bring it out, for generations! It’s a timeless song”, she explains.
The track which was produced by Seyi
Allen and Jiggy Jeggs, mixed and mastered by Dan Jiggy had its video directed
by award-winning video director, Emeka Obefe. It is already enjoying rave
reviews on the internet.
From such songs as Lonely
World, Hold On, Keregbe, Lorawagbo, Ife and Love Without Language, the Moshood
Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Abeokuta Mass Communication graduate has aptly
earned herself the appellation ‘Queen of Love’. “People know me with love
songs. I didn't realise it myself until people started pointing it out. And
that was how I got the title 'Queen of Love'. It’s actually ‘Queen of Love
songs’. But it has been shortened to ‘Queen of Love’. It made me realise
that I love love, and I love singing about love”, she says.
The fact that Azeezat is back in
business is no doubt. She is not just back on the scene; she is now a
decision-maker in the music industry. How? Well, every Nigerian
musician wants to be paid their dues – and that isn’t just in recognition but
fiscally. Hence, she has joined the helm of affairs at the Copyright
Society of Nigeria (COSON) and the only female EXCO member. So, female artistes
finally have a voice and hope in getting their dues, we wonder. “There's
no discrimination at COSON. Everyone who has royalties with us is being paid.
It’s true that the bulk of calls I get are from women, and I understand that it
is because I'm a woman and I do everything I can to resolve their issues”, she
explains.
In the area of tourism and culture,
she has also been promoting Tarkwa Bay (the place she has made her home) as a
great tourist destination in Nigeria. This she did through her ‘Weekend
with Azeezat’ concept. Here, fun lovers were treated to musical performances
from Azeezat as well as night life by the water and fresh food.
However, the initiative in now
rested. Why, we ask. Smiling, she says: “For every venture in
life, you must take a step back and re-strategize. So we are
re-strategizing. I also know the driving force of ‘Weekend with Azeezat’
is my career. So I need to take a break to get my career on the right footing;
then we will start again”.
Born to the family of Alhaji and
Alhaja Olatunji Salu in the mid 70's, Azeezat is a lover of music, poetry, love
stories and cartoons. At a tender age, the Ogun State-born lady discovered
music as her first love and began the journey of fulfilling her desires. By age
13, she had begun writing songs and participating in singing competitions.
After her tertiary education, she took a shot at radio and TV presentation and
production – she worked at Ogun State Broadcasting Service (OGBC) – but
soon returned to her first love; music.
She was spotted in a talent show by
Seyi Allen, who she eventually married in 2002. For 11 years,
commitment is what has kept Azeezat and Seyi going. To them, commitment
is important. Azeezat is of the opinion that love is essential but isn’t
enough. “It is the mindset that there is no way out. There is no window out of
marriage; it is that strong unbreakable wall. It portends that no matter how
great the problem in marriage, you are not ever thinking of opting out. Because
you are not thinking of opting out, it will mean that you are always trying to
find solution. It is very essential. And communication between the couple is
also important, there is also character and personality. The reason commitment
is very important is because if one of the couple is doing something that is
not that suitable to the other, commitment will make the other party
compromise. That would be because you are committed to lasting longer”.
Raised as a Muslim, Azeezat showed
her commitment to her spouse by making a compromise.
“Before I met my husband I don’t
think I had stepped into the four walls of the church. But I did after we
married”.
She was nominated at the MNET
organized “Where you at” Awards as Best Up-coming Female Act and Best Female
Act in 2000 alongside icon Onyeka Onwenu.