Highlife Legend, Victor Olaiya Passes on at 89

12 February 2020 Daily Bells Newspaper 0 min read

Veteran highlife singer Victor Olaiya has died at the age of 89 at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

His death was confirmed by Michael Odiong of Premiere Music, the record label that holds his music repertoire.

According to Odiong, the Baby Jowo crooner died around noon on Wednesday, February 12, 2020.

Papingo Dalaya, as the highlife maestro is called, was born on the 31st of December, 1930 in Calabar, Cross River State but hails from Ijesha-Ishu, Ekiti State.

He retired from his long music career in 2017 and had some hit tracks like Omopupa, Aigana, Pambotoriboto, Opataritius, Mo fe Muyan, Jemila, Kosowo l’ode, Odale Ore, So fun mi, Omolanke, Tina Mate, among others.

The highlife legend featured Innocent Idibia called Tubaba in the remix of Baby Jowo in 2013.

Olaiya formed his band, the Cool Cats in 1954 but later renamed it the All-Star.

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from The DAILY BELLS.