Rapper Shares Ancestral Connection, Fans Urge Him to Sample Icon’s Music
Nigerian rapper Olanrewaju Ogunmefun David, popularly known as Vector Tha Viper, has revealed a fascinating family connection to the late highlife music legend, Stephen Oladipupo Olaore Owomoyela, aka Orlando Owoh. The rapper made the disclosure while responding to a viral tweet asking people to share interesting facts about their family history.
“Tell us something great about your family history or ancestors,” an X user, @Yorubaness, solicited.
Joining the trend, Vector wrote, “My mum and Orlando Owoh are related.”
The revelation excited many fans, with some urging the rapper to sample some of Orlando Owoh’s iconic musical works in his future projects.
Orlando Owoh, a pioneer of highlife music in Nigeria, began his career as a drummer with the Kola Ogunmola Theatre Group in 1958. He later founded his own band, Dr. Orlando Owoh and His Omimah Band, in 1960. Over a career spanning four decades, Owoh became one of the leading figures in highlife music, releasing over 45 albums and establishing two additional bands, Young Kenneries and the African Kenneries International.
The music legend passed away on November 4, 2008, and was laid to rest at his residence in Agege, Lagos. His legacy continues to inspire generations of musicians, including Vector, who now carries a piece of that heritage through his family lineage.
Vector’s revelation has sparked conversations about the enduring influence of Orlando Owoh’s music and the importance of preserving Nigeria’s rich cultural history. Fans are eagerly anticipating whether the rapper will pay homage to his legendary relative by incorporating elements of highlife into his future works.
As Vector continues to make waves in the Nigerian music industry, his connection to Orlando Owoh adds a unique layer to his artistic identity, bridging the gap between past and present in the vibrant tapestry of Nigerian music.