The Lijadu Sisters, identical twin sisters Taiwo and Kehinde Lijadu, were pioneering figures in Nigerian music, active primarily from the mid-1960s to the 1980s. Born on October 22, 1948, in Ibadan, Colonial Nigeria (though one source suggests Jos), the sisters were second cousins to the legendary Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti. Their musical journey was nurtured by their mother, who exposed them to a diverse range of artists like Aretha Franklin, Miriam Makeba, and Ray Charles. Their music was a distinctive mix of Afrobeat, funk, reggae, rock, pop, disco, and traditional Yoruba sounds, with the twins singing in both English and their native Yoruba.
The sisters signed with Decca Records and released their first album, Iya Mi Jowo (meaning "Mother, please"), in 1969. They went on to release several notable albums in the 1970s, including Danger (1976), Mother Africa (1977), Sunshine (1978), and Horizon Unlimited (1979). They achieved considerable success in Nigeria and gained more modest recognition in the United States and Europe. A major highlight of their career was performing with drummer Ginger Baker's band Salt at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games.
As rare frontwomen in the male-dominated Nigerian music scene, the Lijadu Sisters were outspoken advocates for gender equality. Their lyrics often reflected their strong convictions, addressing societal issues, political corruption, and women's rights. They faced challenges with industry exploitation, including issues with unpaid royalties and unauthorized reissues of their work.
The twins moved to New York in the 1980s, performing at various venues. In 1996, Kehinde suffered severe spinal injuries after a fall, which led to a long period out of the public eye. They later resurfaced in the 2010s for sporadic performances and to work on reissuing their classic albums with Knitting Factory Records. Kehinde Lijadu passed away on November 9, 2019, in New York City, after battling cancer, bringing an end to the influential musical duo. Taiwo Lijadu continues to keep their legacy alive.