VICTOR OLAIYA, 'THE EVIL GENIUS OF HIGHLIFE' PASSES ON AT 89

HIGHLIFE ICON, OLAIYA PASSES ON AT 89

Victor Olaiya, veteran highlife musician, has passed on at 89 years. The news was confirmed by the Managing Director of the Evergreen Music Company Limited, Bimbo Esho.

The official statement she released read, “The entire music world wishes to announce the death of a legend of highlife music – one of the last man standing, the last of the originals, Dr Victor Olaiya, OON.

“This untimely incident happened at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital around 12noon on Wednesday, February 12, 2020.”

The late singer and trumpeter was famous for hit songs and albums such as Baby Jowo, Feso J’aiye, Ilu Le O and Taxi Driver. He was born on December 31, 1930, the 20th child of a family of 24, in Calabar, Cross River to parents who hailed from Ijesha-Iju in Ekiti State.

Olaiya was known as “The Evil Genius of Highline.” He performed at state balls in Lagos for Queen Elizabeth II and with Louis Armstrong. A former president of the Nigerian Union of Musicians, Olaiya was most prolific in the 1960s, releasing numerous singles which were remixed numerous times over the years.

He is survived by many wives, children, and grandchildren.