Highlife

Ghana · music · African culture · world music

African plus Western. Highlife mixes traditional African rhythms and melodies with Western instruments like jazzy horns and guitars, creating something completely new that came from Ghana's coastal cities in the 1800s.

Born by the coast. This music style grew up in Ghana's seaside cities during colonial times, influenced by both the local traditions and the trade routes that brought different musical ideas together.

Two-finger plucking style. Highlife musicians play guitars using a special two-finger plucking technique that comes from traditional African music, giving the genre its unique sparkly sound.

Modern and energetic. Since around 2018, highlife has gotten faster and more electronic, with synthesizers creating an upbeat, modern sound that keeps the genre exciting and fresh for today's listeners.