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
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Chameleon
Single - Released September 26, 2025

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AKDOBLEA
AMB HOLY IROWA MUSIC
Adeleye Omotayo
Afrika Gumbe
Ala Nkolika
Alex Konadu
Arusi Igba
Baba Tundey
Bantu
Beeztrap KOTM
BhadBoi OML
Bidemi Olaoba
Big Wilz
C Natty
Cardinal Rex Jim Lawson
Carmen Amaka
Chuksie
Commissioner Dj Wysei
Dammykyute
Delroy Shewe
Di Tchaps
Dogo Du Togo
Duncan Mighty
EMPIRE
Edoh YAT
Edomusic Legent
Ejyke Nwamba
Fameye
Femi Kuti
Femi Tahiru
Florence Adooni
Franck Biyong
Gbenga
Geenaro & Ghana Beats
Gimba
Great Ampong
Gyedu-Blay Ambolley
IDEMI
Influence Akaba
Jayclassic
Jimmygid
Joey B
K. Frimpong
KWEKU PEE
Kaleta
Kanu
Kay Slice
Ken erics
Kimati
King Bala
King Paluta
Kuami Eugene
Kwabena Kwabena
Kwaku Benson
Kwame Dabie
Kyei Mensah
Lasmid
Lil Win
Man Sango
Marijata
Mega 99
Mic Flammez
Mádé Kuti
Nanky
Nero X
Nsikak David
ODODOAFROBEAT
Obi Original
Oboy & Gambian Child
Odah Odah
Oke
Omah Lay
Oriental Brothers International Band
Osibisa
Phaize
Prince Gozie Okeke
Reggie Dartey
Rema Diop
Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka C.
Robby Law
Rybeena
SPICE VISION
Sarkodie
Shatta Wale
Sossi
Star Baba Jay
Stonebwoy
Tekno
The Alagaa Beat Band
The Cavemen.
The Great Eddy
Tml Vibez
Tony Allen
Umu Obiligbo
Vag Lavi
Yaa Jackson
Yaka Crazy
Yemi Alade
Yhaw hero
babas tutsipop
Omah Lay
Tml Vibez
Geenaro & Ghana Beats
Sarkodie
BhadBoi OML
Lasmid
Shatta Wale
Flavour
Renard Barakissa
The Cavemen.
Yemi Alade
Rybeena
Stonebwoy
Kuami Eugene
Bantu
EMPIRE
Duncan Mighty
King Paluta
Bidemi Olaoba
Beeztrap KOTM
Ebo Taylor
Tony Allen
Orchestra Baobab
Fameye
Joey B
Sound Collabo
Adeleye Omotayo
Reggie Dartey
Umu Obiligbo
Pat Thomas
King Sunny Ade
Ejyk Nwamba
Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe
Chuksie
Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey
Kwabena Kwabena
Nsikak David
Kaleta
Femi Kuti
Delroy Shewe
Gyedu-Blay Ambolley
Castro
Dr. Orlando Owoh
EL
Oke
Mory Kanté
Prince Mich C. Philips
Jaydee bombshell
African China
Adewale Ayuba
Sunny Bobo
Prince Gozie Okeke
The Funkees
Rev. Patty Obassey
Oriental Brothers International Band
babas tutsipop
Boma Nime
emPawa Africa
Sir Victor Uwaifo
Osibisa
2Face
Blessed Samuel Chinyeremaka
Danfo Drivers
Star Baba Jay
Sis. Chinyere Udoma
The Hygrades
Hallelujah Chicken Run Band
Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka C.
T. P. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo
Ajofia Nnewi
Influence Akaba
AminMan
Pammy Udu Bonch
Gimba
Marijata
Odumeje
Mr Raw
Otentik Groove
Evang. Nnamdi
Black Teacher
Chief Adjuah
Chief Dr. Oliver De Coque & His Expo '76 Ogene Sound Super of Africa
Tony Tetuila
Sunny Neji
Jimmygid
Bola Johnson
IDEMI
Fabomo
Baba Tundey
MEDIKAL
K. Frimpong
Oliver De Coque
Florence Adooni
Edobenin Music Band
Osayomore Joseph
Femi Tahiru
Palmer Omoruyi
Sir Shina Peters
S.E. Rogie
Cardinal Rex Jim Lawson