Highlife

Highlife is a genre of West African music that originated in Ghana in the 1920s and spread throughout the region. Characterized by its infectious horn sections, driving Afro-Caribbean rhythms, and soulful vocal harmonies, highlife combines traditional Akan and Ewe musical elements with jazz, swing, and calypso influences. Emerging as a popular dance music, highlife flourished in the 1950s and 1960s, with its catchy melodies and witty lyrics capturing the imagination of urban audiences. As a cultural phenomenon, highlife played a significant role in promoting social mobility, cultural exchange, and national identity in post-colonial West Africa. While influenced by Afrobeat and juju, highlife's distinct blend of brass fanfares, guitar riffs, and percussive textures sets it apart, with its unique sound continuing to inspire contemporary artists and fans alike.

Latest Highlife Release
undefined album image
Sweet Songs 4 You
Album - 10 Tracks - Released June 27, 2025
Top Artists Spotify Logo
Omah Lay
Tml Vibez
Geenaro & Ghana Beats
Sarkodie
BhadBoi OML
Lasmid
Top Playlists
The Sound of Edo Old School 41 Highlife artists
The Sound of Ogene 34 Highlife artists
The Sound of Classic Afrobeat 32 Highlife artists
The Sound of Igbo Worship 18 Highlife artists
The Needle / Ghana 14 Highlife artists
The Sound of Naija Old School 13 Highlife artists

RecentMusic users are tracking 450 Highlife artists for new releases, and have access to the full timeline of 5,142 releases .

Join them and feed your new music addiction, and add the Highlife artists you love!

Get Started Browse Arists
  1. June 27, 2025
  2. June 27
  3. June 27
  4. June 19
  5. June 17
  6. June 13
  7. June 13
  8. June 10
  9. June 6
  10. June 6
  11. June 6
  12. June 5
  13. June 5
  14. May 30
  15. May 30
  16. May 23
  17. May 23
  18. May 23
  19. May 23
  20. May 23
  21. May 23
  22. May 22
  23. May 22
  24. May 21
  25. May 18
  26. May 17
  27. May 16
  28. May 16
  29. May 16
  30. May 16
  31. May 16
  32. May 9
  33. May 9
  34. May 9
  35. May 9
  36. May 9
  37. May 8
  38. May 2
  39. May 2
  40. May 2