‘A true Ondo legend’ — US rapper Wale loses 103-year-old grandfather

Olubowale Victor Akintimehin, the Nigerian-American rapper better known as Wale, has lost his grandfather. 

The 38-year-old ‘Dig Dug’ crooner disclosed that his grandfather died at the age of 103 in an Instagram post on Friday.

The rapper urged people to always “embrace your family” while describing his late grandfather as a “true Ondo state legend”.

“I lost my Grandfather today.. he made it to 103. I been stayin low lately and lettin God talk to me.. imma smile as much as I can today. Embrace your family! None of this means anything without them. Rest now, Oga. A true Ondo State Legend,” he wrote.

The 38-year-old also shared a snippet of a recap written by The Source about his 2014 Revolt TV documentary ‘Wale: I Am From (Mo Wa Lati)’.

The short video captured how the rapper travelled back to his hometown in Ondo from the United States, spent time with his father, and met his grandfather for the first time.

“At one point his father tells an interesting anecdote that those from his home village were not surprised by Wale’s success and almost had a ‘no surprise’ type attitude thanks to his great grandfather happening to be the man who brought the ‘talking drum’ to their home village of Ondo State,” reads the article.

“After making last minute emergency plans and possibly pulling some strings to expedite the trip, Wale’s grandfather arrives and thing[s] truly take a turn for the incredibly heartfelt. With his father watching on Wale’s grandfather explain[s] to him not just his pride in Wale but that his time [on earth] is nearly at its end and that meeting Wale finally has left him at peace and able to move on.”

Despite being born in the United States, Wale is known to share a special bond with Nigerian singers.

He has featured several Nigerian artistes including Phyno, Olamide, and Wizkid.