Controversial Nigerian rapper Darlington Okoye, popularly known as Speed Darlington, has disclosed that the late traditional music legend Damian Azubike Nwankwo Okoye, famously called Pericoma, was not his biological father.
Speaking on a recent episode of The Honest Bunch podcast, Darlington explained that his mother, singer Queen Achakpo, had him before her marriage to Pericoma. Despite this, he said he grew up in Pericoma’s household and was treated well, just like Pericoma’s other sons.
“Pericoma is my stepfather. I grew up in his house. I was on the cover of one of his albums along with my two half-brothers. I was very young when I went to his house; I was probably nine,” he recalled.
Darlington also described the late music icon as very accommodating, countering superstitious rumours that often portrayed Pericoma as fearsome or dreadful.
The revelation offers fans a more personal glimpse into the legendary musician’s private life and his relationships with those close to him.
"Pericoma is my step-father. I grew up in his house…"
– Speed Darlington pic.twitter.com/4ezzBtURvg
— @𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗷𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗯𝗼𝘆 (@OneJoblessBoy) December 22, 2025
