Highlife is a musical genre that originated in Ghana and spread to Sierra Leone and Nigeria in the 1920s and other West African countries. 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

• Contemporary Ghanaian Music Videos
• 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