Highlife Explained

Highlife is a musical genre that originated in Ghana in the 1800s and spread to Sierra Leone, Nigeria and other West African countries by 1920. It is very popular in Liberia and all of English-speaking West Africa, although little has been produced in other countries due to economic challenges brought on by war and instability. Joromi is a sub-genre.

Highlife is characterized by jazzy horns and multiple guitars which lead the band. Recently it has acquired an uptempo, synth-driven sound (cf. Daddy Lumba).

Saka Acquaye and His African Ensemble are featured on Nonesuch Explorer Series album Ghana: High-Life & Other Popular Music (Voices of Africa: High-Life and Other Popular Music 1969/2002). Other artists include:

• Koo Nimo (Daniel Amponsah)
• AB Crentsil
• Dr. Sir Warrior
• Dr. K. Gyasi and The Noble Kings
• S. E. Rogie
• Koola Lobitos
• The African Brothers Band
• George Darko
• Charles Amoah (singer)
• Solomon Ilori
• Rex Lawson
• Prince Nico Mbarga
• Jerry Hansen and The Ramblers
• E. T. Mensah
• Osibisa
• The Sweet Talks
• The Tempos
• Pat Thomas
• Aaron Bebe Sukura
• Daddy Lumba
• Bolga Zohdoomah
• King Bruce
• Nana Kwame Ampadu
• Rex Gyamfi
• Alhaji K. Frimpong
• Amakye Dede
• Paapa Yankson
• Celestine Ukwu
• 'Sir' Victor Uwaifo
• Oriental Brothers International
• Bobby Benson
• The Seagulls (Port Harcourt)
• Victor Olaiya
• Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe

Highlife in jazz

• Saxophonist Pharoah Sanders recorded a song called "High Life" on Rejoice (1981)
• Pierre Dørge and his New Jungle Orchestra played in the highlife style, e.g. on Even The Moon Is Dancing (1985)
• Guitarist Sonny Sharrock had a song called "Highlife" on the album of the same name (1990)
• Craig Harris (trombone) had a song called "High Life" on the album F-Stops (1993)

External links

• 1. 1 Site for Ghana Music
• Watch Highlife Music Videos
• Ghana Music News Ghana Music News and a collection of video clips, audio and profiles on Ghana artists
• Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe