The albums that define
highlife.
Our picks for where to start with highlife — with a one-line read on why each one matters.
Top highlife artists
Start with one of these.
The highlife essentials
Twenty-four picks. Press play on any of them.
Fela Kuti
Why Black Man Dey Suffer
A powerful fusion of jazz, highlife, and traditional African rhythms that critiques social injustice with infectious grooves.
Start here
Fela Kuti
Stalemate
A vibrant blend of complex rhythms and provocative lyrics, merging traditional African sounds with jazz-infused instrumentation.
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Zak Abel
Only When We're Naked
A vibrant blend of contemporary R&B and electronic pop, infused with soulful melodies and tropical rhythms.
Start here