Victor Olaiya was a Nigerian trumpeter and bandleader who earned the nickname "Evil Genius of Highlife" for his sharp horn arrangements and smooth, infectious grooves. Coming up in the 1950s, he blended Ghanaian highlife with big-band brass, Afro-Cuban rhythms, and Yoruba vocals, shaping the sound of West African dance music for decades. His band, the Cool Cats, became a breeding ground for top talent, with even a young Fela Kuti passing through its ranks. Olaiya was famous enough to play both Nigeria’s Independence Ball in 1960 and Republic Day in 1963. Between evergreen hits like "Baby Jowo" and decades spent playing live at his Stadium Hotel club in Surulere, Olaiya remains one of the true titans of African popular music.