Highlife to dominate global music in next 20 years, says industry stakeholder

Highlife music is poised to take over the world within the next two decades, according to a senior industry figure. The claim comes as musicians and cultural advocates stress that the genre must keep evolving to stay relevant.

Highlife emerged from a blend of Ghanaian traditional rhythms, palm-wine music, military and police band traditions, and brass band influences. Early recordings date back to 1928 with the Kumasi Trio led by Jacob Sam. The genre has never been static, absorbing electric instruments, new band arrangements, and foreign styles.

Burger Highlife rose in the 1980s through artists like George Darko, whose hit "Akoo Te Brɔfo" became a landmark. The 1990s saw another shift when Ghanaian musicians fused Highlife with American Hip-Hop, birthing Hiplife. Reggie Rockstone emerged as a key figure in that movement.

Industry voices argue that Highlife’s strength lies in its adaptability. They point out that the genre has always absorbed external influences, from colonial brass bands to contemporary pop. The recent surge of interest is reflected in events like the Barcelona Highlife project and multiple Ghana Music Awards Europe nominations for modern Highlife acts.

Artists such as Takyi Kay are actively mixing traditional Highlife with modern sounds to reach global audiences. The President of MUSIGA recently declared that Highlife is "ours and cannot be denied," emphasizing its cultural ownership.

Nana Asamoah, a prominent Highlife ambassador, acknowledged the challenges of promoting the genre abroad but remains confident in its future. He believes the next generation will expand Highlife’s reach by blending it with R&B, Jazz, Latin, Electronic, Rock, and Pop.

The narrative rejects the idea of preserving Highlife as a museum piece. Instead, it calls for continuous experimentation, asking what Highlife will sound like in 2026 and 2030. The consensus is that the genre’s future depends on its ability to absorb new influences while retaining its core DNA.

With growing international attention and local support, Highlife is positioned to become a dominant global music force in the coming decades.