About Highlife Cruise

Highlife is a Ghanaian music genre that originated along the coastal cities of present-day Ghana in the 19th century, during its history as a colony of the British and through its trade routes in coastal areas. It encompasses multiple local fusions of African metre and western jazz melodies.

Highlife uses the melodic and main rhythmic structures of traditional African music, but is typically played with Western instruments. It is characterized by jazzy horns and guitars which lead the band and its use of the two-finger plucking guitar style that is typical of African music. Recently it has acquired an uptempo, synth-driven sound.

Highlife gained popularity and the genre spread throughout West African regions. Pioneers like Cardinal Rex Lawson, E.T. Mensah, and Victor Uwaifo perfected this sound by infusing traditional African drums and western "Native Blues".

After the Second World War, its popularity came within the Igbo people of Nigeria, as they got influenced to form Igbo highlife which became their country's most popular music genre in the 1960s.

Highlife has remained a part of popular music for Ghanaians and their diaspora globally through its integration with religious institutions and the positive effect it had on immigrating Ghanaians leaving their homeland.

At Zed Multimedia, we are passionate about preserving and promoting Ghana's rich musical heritage. Our Highlife Cruise event brings together the best highlife musicians, creating an authentic experience that celebrates this iconic genre.

Through our multi-platform approach — including radio, online streaming, and our newspaper "The New Finder" — we ensure that highlife music reaches audiences worldwide, keeping this cultural treasure alive for future generations.