Why Saint Janet switched from gospel to sexually explicit songs — Backup singer

Sunkanmi, also known as Suko, a backup singer to the late Nigerian Juju and Highlife musician Saint Janet, revealed why his mentor changed her musical style from gospel Juju to songs with sexually explicit themes. Suko, who has known Saint Janet for over 25 years, explained that the singer moved towards the explicit style after discovering it attracted higher audience engagement, bookings, and income at social events.

He made this admission in an interview with Alejo TV. Suko, who initially worked with Saint Janet as a drummer, joined her band when she decided to pursue a solo career. The backup singer first met Saint Janet when she was a backup singer for Nurse Kenge, with whom Suko worked as a freelance drummer. Initially, Saint Janet's band performed a mix of gospel Juju music, rehearsing in a Celestial Church.

Their first studio recording, however, received little attention and the cassette became unused. Despite performing at various events, including weddings, bars, and beer parlours, the singer struggled to attract the desired audience with her gospel songs. This prompted her to experiment with a different style that incorporated sexual themes and happenings at social events, which she termed as "a pastor style."

Suko noted that Saint Janet used people and situations at events in her performances, creating a form of entertainment. The new style soon led to more bookings from clubs and bars. Though Saint Janet did not entirely abandon gospel music, she continued to compose gospel songs for inspiration. One such incident involved a wedding where the bride's family requested Saint Janet to perform her newer style of songs.

The singer's performances with explicit themes turned out to be highly popular, with people spraying champagne and the band making more money than when she sang gospel songs. Some churches also requested to hear the explicit-rated 18 songs. Despite the change in style, Suko remained with Saint Janet's band due to their close relationship, which had grown into a family bond.

During her final performance, Saint Janet thanked Suko for his long-term support, giving him her wristwatch and spraying money on him.