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
Adzé Adzé
Single - Released November 8, 2024

RecentMusic users are tracking 67 Highlife artists for new releases, and have access to the full timeline of 945 releases .

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

Get Started Browse Releases
2Face
AKDOBLEA
Afla Sackey & Afrik Bawantu
Alain Apaloo
Alex Konadu
All One
Avit
Bobby Benson
Bola Johnson
Bẹ̀ẹ̀Rẹ̀
C Natty
Cardinal Rex Jim Lawson
Celestine Ukwu
Chief Adjuah
Chief Dr. Oliver De Coque
Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe
Chuksie
Dogo Du Togo
Dreadcity
E.T. Mensah
EL
Franck Biyong
Funmilayo Afrobeat Orquestra
Gbenga
Geenaro & Ghana Beats
Gimba
Gyedu-Blay Ambolley
Hedzoleh Soundz
IDEMI
IsyaBoiDerry
Jayclassic
Jimmygid
K. Frimpong
KWAME YEBOAH
Kaleta
Kanu
Kay Slice
King Bala
King Xzibit
Koo Nimo
Kwaku Benson
Lil Win
MEDIKAL
Mawulino
Mexxy Bone
Odah Odah
Oke
Oliver De Coque
Oral P
Oriental Brothers International Band
Oriental Brothers International Band Led By F.Dan. Satch Okpara
Phaize
Robby Law
Sir Victor Uwaifo
Sonny Okosun
Specdo
Star Baba Jay
Sweet Talks
Togo All Stars
Tonton Lusambo
Tony Dath
Trend Vibes
Umu Obiligbo
Victor Olaiya
Yaa Jackson
babas tutsipop
emPawa Africa
Geenaro & Ghana Beats
Umu Obiligbo
Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe
Chuksie
Kaleta
Gyedu-Blay Ambolley
EL
Oke
2Face
Oriental Brothers International Band
Alain Apaloo
emPawa Africa
babas tutsipop
Star Baba Jay
Gimba
Sir Victor Uwaifo
Jimmygid
MEDIKAL
Chief Adjuah
IDEMI
Oliver De Coque
Cardinal Rex Jim Lawson
K. Frimpong
Bola Johnson
Kanu
Chief Dr. Oliver De Coque
Kay Slice
Victor Olaiya
Robby Law
Trend Vibes
Sonny Okosun
Celestine Ukwu
King Bala
Oral P
E.T. Mensah
All One
Franck Biyong
AKDOBLEA
Tonton Lusambo
Hedzoleh Soundz
Afla Sackey & Afrik Bawantu
C Natty
KWAME YEBOAH
Alex Konadu
Oriental Brothers International Band Led By F.Dan. Satch Okpara
Funmilayo Afrobeat Orquestra
Lil Win
Jayclassic
Dreadcity
Togo All Stars
Sweet Talks
Avit
Phaize
Koo Nimo
Gbenga
Kwaku Benson
Mexxy Bone
Yaa Jackson
Dogo Du Togo
Bobby Benson
Specdo
IsyaBoiDerry
Tony Dath
Mawulino
Odah Odah
King Xzibit
Bẹ̀ẹ̀Rẹ̀