In an unearthed video, renowned Nigerian veteran actor Pete Edochie passionately recounted the true origins of highlife music, giving credit to Ghana as the birthplace of the iconic genre.
Edochie’s revelation challenges the claims by some that highlife originated in Nigeria, as he took time to acknowledge several key Ghanaian musicians who played pivotal roles in the genre’s evolution.
“All this music originated from Ghana. Why? In Nigeria, the popular genre of music was highlife. Where did highlife come from? Ghana! This is where it originated!” Edochie emphasized in the video, laying to rest any doubts about where the highlife movement truly began.
He went on to chronicle a rich history of Ghanaian highlife legends, starting with the influential E.T. Mensah, widely regarded as the “King of Highlife,” whose melodies captured audiences across West Africa. Edochie also gave due credit to the Black Beats of Ghana, led by King Bruce, whose rhythms set the tone for generations of highlife musicians to come.
He further acknowledged the contributions of Joss Aikins and his Broadway Dance Band, as well as Jerry Hansen and the Ramblers Dance Band, both of whom were instrumental in popularizing highlife across borders.
Continuing his roll call, Edochie honored the legacy of Nana Ampadu and the African Brothers Band, CK Mann, EK Nyame, and many others, who carried the torch and expanded the genre’s influence.
Pete Edochie’s reflections serve as a reminder of the deep cultural impact Ghana has had on West African music and the world at large, with highlife standing as a testament to this influence.
The actor’s statements have reignited conversations online about the true origins of highlife and have helped bring more awareness to the significant role Ghanaian musicians played in shaping this beloved genre.
While Nigeria undeniably played a major role in propagating highlife across the continent, Edochie’s recognition of Ghana as its origin has been met with widespread praise, particularly from music lovers and cultural historians.
His acknowledgment of Ghanaian trailblazers not only highlights the genre’s roots but also cements the legacy of these pioneers whose music continues to resonate today.
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