Many modern ‘highlife' songs are actually afrobeats – Veteran musician Nana Agyeman – GhanaWeb

Two people sit in conversation at an outdoor café with leafy plants in the background, while the rhythmic beats of afrobeats play softly. The table, adorned with drinks and snacks, invites a leisurely afternoon under a canopy of vibrant greenery.

Veteran highlife musician Nana Agyeman has argued that many songs being labeled as “highlife” today lack the genre’s defining elements and sound more like afrobeats.

In an interview with Adom TV, Agyeman explained that true highlife music relies on specific instruments like guitars and certain drum patterns.

He added that if such instruments are removed and other sounds are added, it takes away the authenticity of the highlife song.

“Many people compose songs and label them as highlife and say music is dynamic. But if you compose a song…