By Dayo Showemimo
Back in the days, musicians and artistes were looked down upon as parents frowned at the thought of seeing their children getting involved in the music industry. Over the last few years, the impression has changed and we’ve seen wealthy parents who are encouraging their children and giving them all the support they need to excel in the entertainment industry.
The rise of pop stars Davido and Lynxx in the music industry is further proof that other rich parents are ready to invest in the music industry for willing children. The latest billionaire’s son in the music industry is fast rising pop sensation, L.A.X.
While it is widely known that Davido’s father, Adedeji Adeleke is a multi billionaire with business interests and investments in sectors such as oil and gas, steel, banking, real estate and education, many are also aware that Lynxxx’s dad, John Edozien is a director at Diamond bank with vast investments in banking, real estate and oil and gas sectors, L.A.X is the latest to be attached to wealthy parents.
Born Damilola Afolabi, L.A.X was born in Lagos in 1993 and is the son of Taiwo Afolabi, the billionaire boss of Sifax Group which boasts a number of companies in diverse areas of the Nigerian economy. He attended the Turkish International School, Lagos and started getting involved in music as a rapper several years ago when he was part of a three-member group called ‘Flyboiz’ and together they released a single titled ‘Busy Body’.
L.A.X parted ways with the group when he moved to UK to further his studies not long after and in 2012, he released his first major single with Chocolate City rapper, Ice Prince titled ‘Jaye’.
In 2013, L.A.X got signed onto Wizkid’s Starboy label and together, they released the hit tune, ‘Caro’. Thereafter, he dropped his first official single, ‘Ginger’ under Starboy Records in May 2014 and it has been a steady rise for the young man since then.
L.A.X holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Salford University, Manchester as well as a master’s degree from same institution.
Watch the Ginger video below…
He just returned from a tour of some African countries with his label mate and boss, Wizkid with stops in Ghana, Uganda and Kenya under their belt.
About his dad
Taiwo O. Afolabi (MON), a barrister, is the Group Executive Vice-Chairman/CEO of Sifax Group. Afolabi, a 52-year old successful businessman and serial entrepreneur with over 20 years’ cognate experience in the maritime and shipping industry, is a Fellow of the Nigeria Institute of Financial Management (NIFM), and the Institute of Freight Forwarders of Nigeria (IFFN).
He has a Bachelor of Law Degree from the University of Lagos and is also a Solicitor and Advocate of Supreme Court of Nigeria. In recognition of his contributions to the maritime industry and the society at large, he has been honoured with over thirty (30) awards among which are Maritime Quality service Award (MQSA), 1997; Men of Achievement Award, 1998; society Role Model and Corporate gold award, 2004 among others.
