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Nsukka Journal of the Humanities

(ISSN 2361-0034 online)


Nsukka Journal of the Humanities (NJH) is a multidisciplinary and comparative publication covering the entire spectrum of Arts and related disciplines in the Social Sciences,

Title:Trends in Stylistic Developments of Nigerian Highlife Music

DOI: https://doi.org/10.62250/nsuk.2022.30.1.1-20

Authors: Ikenna Emmanuel Onwuegbuna

Published Date: 2023-11-21

Abstract: The discourse on the origin and regional practices of Highlife music in Africa is multifaceted and engenders a diversity of perspectives among scholars. It is a subject that not only explores the musical aspects but also delves into the historical, cultural, and social dimensions of this vibrant genre. Equally, the journey and spread of Highlife music in Nigeria have been scholarly appreciated, appraised, and documented. However, the fascination with the folk musical undercurrents in the new popular Highlife style has inspired artistic diversifications and stylistic sophistication in contemporary Nigerian Highlife music. These recent interpretations and their exponents remain largely understudied, and therefore barely documented. Rather, there exists a flood of assumptions, opinions, and facts from reporters whose contributions lie in scratches and parchments, scattered here and there in periodicals. Even at that, the materials are seasoned with sectional thoughts. Leaning heavily on a historical-descriptive research design, this study aims to contribute formal documentation of identifiable trends in stylistic developments and artistic interpretations of Nigerian Highlife music. Keywords: Highlife, History, Eras, Styles, Socioeconomics, Urbanization

Citation criteria:

Adedeji, W. (2017). Africanity and new wave popular music style in Nigeria: 'Afro' hip hop revisited. Scholars Bulletin, 75-81. DOI: 10.21276/sb.2017.3.3.1

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