GhanaWeb Feature Joseph Henry Mensah
When you hear Highlife music, what comes to mind?
The unique sound of drums, guitars, and other local instruments that get you on your feet, head bobbing, and body moving?
The storytelling, relatable tunes sung by our ‘old gees,’ with its timeless nature still keeping us grooving today?
Yes, that’s typically Highlife music.
For decades, Highlife music has not only united music lovers but has also served as a source of inspiration for music enthusiasts around the world.
One thing Ghanaians can proudly boast about is the indigenous Highlife genre created by talented Ghanaian composers.
Undoubtedly, Highlife music originated in Ghana; a fact that is simply undisputed.
Why the name “Highlife?”
The term “Highlife” was coined because the music was played primarily by the social elite.
Veteran Ghanaian Highlife musician Amandzeba Nat Brew, in an exclusive interview with GhanaWeb, confirmed that the music genre originated in Ghana.
The “Wogbe Dzeke” hitmaker shared a brief history of how the genre came to be.
“I think there’s no question about the origin of Highlife music, and that is Ghana. But you must understand that pre-independence, most nationals from along the West Coast were in Ghana. Every genre we have here, from Agbadza to Borborbor, was once considered ‘low life,’ and it was the common people who participated in that indigenous music.
“It was at this point that Highlife music entered the ballroom, where elites, white people, and politicians gathered for fun. Before this, only colonial music was played. If you entered high society, you wouldn’t hear Agbadza. So when foreign instruments were added to our indigenous music, that’s when it transitioned from ‘low life’ to ‘High life’ in high society,” he said.
Some pioneers of Highlife music
Veteran Ghanaian musicians such as E.T. Mensah (trumpeter), John William Hansen (saxophonist and bandleader of the Ramblers International Band), and music composer King Bruce of the Black Beats were instrumental in introducing Highlife music to the country.
These trailblazers integrated Western instruments into traditional music, making Highlife a stapl genre.
E.T. Mensah introduced iconic songs like “Day by Day and Ghana,” and “The Land of Freedom,” while the Ramblers Band composed memorable tracks like “Saana Owu Bo Fie” and “Murusu Maye Den” in 1962.
Veteran Nigerian actor testifies about Highlife’s origination from Ghana
Legendary Nigerian actor Peter Edochie, in September 2024, also reflected on how Ghana’s Highlife music has significantly impacted both Africa and the world.
He paid tribute to the likes of E.K. Nyame, Nana Ampadu, and Dr. Paa Bobo, who performed in Nigeria during the genre’s rise to popularity.
“In Nigeria, the most popular genre of music is Highlife. Where did Highlife come from? Ghana. This is where it originated. And this is why, whenever you play Highlife, you cannot forget to mention that this is the home of Highlife,” he said.
What Nigerians did
Due to continuous cultural exchange with Nigerians and other West African nationals, Highlife music became immensely popular across the region.
The genre spread throughout West Africa when musicians like E.T. Mensah, Cardinal Rex Lawson, and others began performing the indigenous songs in Nigeria.
After World War II, Nigerian musician Victor Uwaifo further developed his own version of Highlife, creating ‘Igbo Highlife’, which became the country’s most popular music genre in the 1960s.
Key observation
While the rivalry between Ghana and Nigeria over who makes the best Jollof or dominates Afrobeats may persist, one thing remains undeniable: Ghana is the birthplace of Highlife music.
Although other countries, including Nigeria, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, played a crucial role in popularizing the genre globally in recent times, Nigeria did not originate these iconic tunes, as singer Yemi Alade has pointed out.
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