Highlife Music in Nigeria

Although Highlife music originated in Ghana in the 19th century and spread to other parts of Africa much later, Nigeria has come to own this genre of music proudly. Highlife has remained a top genre in the Nigerian music industry to date. The eastern part of the country carries the genre so well that it has almost become synonymous with Igbo music. 

Highlife is a fusion of African beats and Western Jazz melodies. The highlife sound can be best described as Africans combining the Jazz and Blues style and recreating it the African way. In western Nigeria, Highlife music grew to include more of the guitar and traditional Yoruba beats. This evolution of Highlife music went on to lay the foundation of Juju music. By the mid-1960s, Highlife had given way to Juju music in the west.

However, the rhythm continued in the East to birth what is now known as Igbo highlife - a blend of highlife music and Igbo traditional music. Chief Stephen Osita Osadebey, whose remarkable career spanned over forty years, took Igbo highlife to the international limelight with his evergreen track, Osondi Owendi. The language of the Igbo highlife is Igbo with a fusion of pidgin English. Other notable musicians include Chief Oliver De Coque, Bright Chimezie, Ali Chukuma, Sir warrior, Celestine Ukwu, Oriental Brothers and so on. A prominent voice in the original Igbo highlife today is Eze Chijioke Mbanefo.

Unlike in the south-west, the torch of Highlife music continues to burn in the East with musicians like Flavour, J Martins, Bracket, and Wizboyy. But with their style of Highlife is shaped by other western influences. 

One of the beauties of Highlife music is its agelessness. Highlife bands still play at parties, hotels, and bars. Some recreational places even have a designated day of the week for Highlife music. It is a great way to relieve stress after a long day. Create your Highlife playlist with our vast collection of highlife music on Epoh Music.