How ‘Highlife’ got its name in 1925 – Prof. John Collins explains
Renowned ethnomusicologist Professor John Collins has shed more light on the origins of the highlife music genre, revealing when the name first appeared in writing.
Speaking on the panel of Joy FM’s eighth Showbiz Roundtable on Saturday, he said although earlier music forms such as adaha and osibisaba laid the foundation for highlife, the name itself was first written in 1925.
“The word ‘highlife’ was invented in September 1925. It was in a brochure by the Cape Coast Literary Association for a band in Ghana called the Ragged Jazz Band,” he said.
While the term was used in 1925, Professor Collins noted that the Kumasi Trio were the first to record highlife songs, beginning in June 1928.
According to him, this helps address arguments by other countries that claim the genre originated in their territories.
The panel featured Professor John Collins, ethnomusicologist; Amandzeba, highlife musician; Kofi Boachie-Ansah, also known as Beatmenace, audio engineer; Adina, highlife musician; and Jonas Bibi Hammond, a veteran music producer.
The keynote address was delivered by the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Maame Efua Houadjeto. In her address, she spoke about the importance of Ghana making greater gains from the highlife genre while passing it on to future generations.
A special guest for the programme was UNESCO’s National Professional Officer for Culture, Carl Ampah, who offered insight into what it means for highlife to be listed by UNESCO as Ghana’s intangible cultural heritage.
The show had a live studio audience made up of musicians, journalists, music producers, music executives and other creative industry stakeholders.
Those in attendance included Asah Nkansah of Kwan Pa Band, Dela Botri, Yaw Darling, Seven Xavier and Tilly Akua Nipaa, among others.
Showbiz Roundtable was brought to audiences by the 2025 GJA Awards Entertainment Programme of the Year, Showbiz A-Z, powered by Joy Entertainment with support from Joy Prime television.
It was moderated by arts and culture journalist Kwame Dadzie and emceed by Noella Karyne Yalley.
The eighth Showbiz Roundtable was produced by Philip Nai, Anita Teye, Martin Kwasi Asare and DJ Wobeti.
Source: Joy Entertainment
