The 1960s - 1970s in Nigerian had the most renowned Highlife artists, one of them being Sir Victor Uwaifo. Born Victor Efosa Uwaifo on the 1st March 1941 in Benin City, Edo State Nigeria. Uwaifo musical journey began in his home town of Benin, where he was taught how to play the guitar by a local musician and throughout his formative education.
According to John Collins, Uwaifo also acquired his guitar skills from Dizzy Acquaye the guitarist for E.T. Mensah’s Tempos band. Uwaifo made history 1996 when his ‘Joromi’ song released 1966/67 won him his first Golden record, the song his based on a folklore story of a warrior from ancient Benin or Bini.
Sources:
Collins, J., 2018. Highlife Time 3. 3rd ed. Accra: DAkpabli & Associates.
Collins, J., 2017. Highlife Giants. Cassava Republic Press.
Researched and Written by Paulina Nkansah