Highlife is a dance and a music direction in Ghana and Sierra Leone, which are to be found however also in other West African countries. The origins of the Highlife lie into the 1920ern particularly in Ghana. From here the style spread into the other countries of west Africa. Of Highlife elements from the jazz and the use of different guitars are characteristic.
Highlife developed as fusion product between the traditional elements of the music of Ghana with the instruments from Europe. The colonial administration had already at the beginning 20. Century the interest pursued to maintain the own troops and civil servants in the colonies. Native musicians were trained from there for military chapels and police orchestras and equipped with European instruments. The Ghanaian musicians developed the new music style from them the well-known traditional rhythms in connection with ever more strongly out stepping elements from the jazz.
In Germany a somewhat decay-light version of the traditional style, important interpreters developed was George Darko and Lumba Brothers into the 1980er year with the Burger Highlife. For the development Ghanaian immigrants were pointing the way.
The name Highlife originates probably from the person's group, for which this music was first played, i.e. the High Society of the colonial administration. Highlife stands for the joy of life of the African people.
Admitted musician
- E.T. Mensah
- Gyedu Ambolley
- Jewel Ackah
- Kojo Antwi
- Net Brew
- George Darko
- Rex Gyamfi
- Rex Lawson
- Daddy Lumba
- HE Rogie
- Koola Lobitos
- A.B. Crentsil
- Solomon Ilori
- Prince Nico Mbarga
- Osibisa
- Pat Thomas
- The African Brothers volume
- The Sweet of talc
- The speed
- Eric Agyeman
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