Victor Uwaifo

Like Fela Kuti, Victor Uwaifo both honored and modernized the musical traditions of his native Nigeria, creating a unique form of highlife whose popularity spread far beyond his homeland. He was born as Victor Efosa Uwaifo in Benin City, Nigeria, on March 1, 1941. Influenced by Latin music, he began playing guitar at 12 years old and formed his first band, The Melody Maestros, in 1965. The group signed with Phonogram West Africa one year later and released three singles — "Sirri Sirri," "Guitar Boy," and "Joromi" — in 1966. Emblematic of Uwaifo's highlife sound, "Joromi" became Africa's first song to receive a gold record. Joined by the Melody Maestros, Uwaifo began to tour nationally, playing shows across the USA, Japan, the USSR, and Europe. Returning to Benin City, he established his own television studio during the early 1980s, using the space to produce a weekly music program. Released in 2008, the Guitar Boy Superstar 1970-76 compilation highlighted songs from the earlier years of his career, although Victor Uwaifo remained musically active well into the 21st century. He released an EP, Disco Sound Obrosho, in 2010, then collaborated with hip hop artists like Tuface Idibia and Dare Art Alade on 2012's Colabo. Honored by multiple Nigerian presidents, he remained a paragon of the country's musical achievements during his later years and ultimately passed away in Benin City August 28, 2021. He was 80 years old.

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