Victor Uwaifo

Victor Uwaifo (born 1 March 1941, Benin City, Nigeria – died 28 August 2021) was a Nigerian musician, writer, sculptor, instrument inventor, and former wrestler best known for his joromi style of high-life music. "Guitar Boy" Victor Uwaifo learned his skills watching E.T. Mensah's guitarist, Dizzy Acquaye. Following a stint with Victor Olaiya's band, he honed his sound during the 1960s using Pidgin and Edo dialects, palm wine styles and traditional ekassa and gdadagbada, becoming an incredible player and showman in his own right. He had a hit with 'Joromi' in 1969, selling over 100,000 copies and he recorded prolifically during the 1970s, releasing over 100 singles with his bands the Melody Maestros and the Titibitis. He mentored numerous musicians in the West African music industry, and over 50 of his former band members have enjoyed careers in their own right.