From the soulful horns of highlife to the percussive zeal of fuji, Nigeria’s foundational genres are not just relics of the past; they are the secret sauce invigorating today’s biggest Afrobeats tracks, shaping a unique sonic identity that is both nostalgic and groundbreaking. DANIEL ANAZIA, examines how contemporary Nigerian artistes are skillfully weaving in the rhythms of highlife and fuji, not merely copying the beats, but using the styles to bring a unique ‘Nigerianness’ to the wider music scene.

While Afrobeats continues its global domination, many contemporary Nigerian artistes are rediscovering and reimagining older sounds, particularly Highlife and Fuji, breathing new life into genres that once defined the country’s musical identity.

From the pulsating talking drums of fuji to the melodic guitar lines of Highlife, these traditional sounds are finding their way into modern chart-toppers. The result is a compelling fusion that bridges generations, reconnects audiences with cultural roots, and proves that the future of Nigerian music may very well lie in its past.

Highlife, which flourished in Nigeria from the 1950s through the 1980s, remains one of the country’s most influential musical exports.
Characterised by guitar riffs, horn sections and storytelling lyrics, the genre once dominated the airwaves through legends such as Osita Osadebe, Oliver De Coque, Celestine Ukwu, Bobby Benson and Victor Olaiya.

Today, a new generation of artistes is keeping that spirit alive. Among the most visible torchbearers is Flavour N’abania, whose music frequently leans on highlife instrumentation and Igbo cultural themes. Songs like Ada Ada and Time to Party echo the celebratory spirit of classic Highlife while incorporating modern Afrobeats production.

Rapper Phyno has also embraced highlife influences, blending indigenous rap with melodic guitar progressions reminiscent of southeastern Nigeria’s highlife’s golden age.

Perhaps, the most deliberate revivalists are The Cavemen, a band that has built its reputation on modernising highlife while maintaining its organic instrumentation. Their music channels the warmth and groove of vintage Highlife but resonates strongly with younger audiences discovering the genre for the first time.

The Cavemen and Adekunle Gold have moved from the alternative fringe to the mainstream. AG’s song Many People (released October 2025) is a masterclass in highlife interpolation, featuring appearances by legends Adewale Ayuba and Yinka Ayefele in the video — a symbolic passing of the torch.

In 2025, Davido’s hit With You directly sampled Bright Chimezie’s 1984 classic Because of English. This didn’t just top the charts; it landed the legendary Chimezie a global publishing deal with Sony Music at the age of 65.

This resurgence has sparked renewed interest in Highlife’s legacy, prompting younger listeners to explore classic recordings while encouraging producers to experiment with analog sounds and live instrumentation.

Fuji’s Groovy Beat In Today’s Street Pop
If highlife represents melodic nostalgia, fuji brings rhythmic energy and street authenticity. Born from the Yoruba Islamic music scene and made famous by legends like Sikiru Ololade Ayinde Balogun well known as Sikiru Ayinde Barrister. The genre stands out for its hypnotic percussion, interactive vocals, and chant-like delivery.

Today’s Nigerian street pop really takes a lot from Fuji music. Global superstar and Grammy winner, Wizkid often includes Fuji-like vocals and beats in his tracks, showing the influence of the Lagos vibe that played a big role in his early days. His use of Yoruba phrases and rhythmic chanting mirrors Fuji’s storytelling tradition.

In the meantime, breakout sensation Ahmed Ololade also known as Asake has arguably become one of the most prominent modern interpreters of Fuji aesthetics. His lively performances, catchy choruses, and traditional percussion capture the joyful essence of Fuji while staying true to Afrobeats and Amapiano.

The Mr Money hitmaker’s Fuji Vibe (released late 2025) is currently the blueprint. It takes the frantic energy of a 1990s Fuji street jam and cleans it up for the Spotify algorithm, proving that local grit can have global steeze.

Known for hits like Chance (Na Ham) and God Sent, street pop sensation Balogun Afolabi Oluwaloseyi popularly known as Seyi Vibez also draws heavily from Fuji vocal patterns and emotional storytelling, blending it with trap and Afropop production.

His music resonates deeply with young audiences who recognise the cultural echoes of Fuji within contemporary sounds. He blends Yoruba lyrics with Fuji-influenced, soulful melodies, rising to fame in 2021-2022 to become one of Nigeria’s top streamed artistes. His 2025/2026 run with the Fuji Moto project didn’t just sample Fuji; it created a ‘Neo-Fuji’ lane that blends Islamic chant-style vocals with heavy trap and Amapiano basslines.

As a hip-hop bridge, rapper Folarin Falana, well known as Falz The Bahd Guy, in his No Less track famously sampled Sikiru Ayinde Barrister’s Fuji Garbage, introducing a Gen Z audience to the father of the genre.
Impact on The Industry
Industry observers point out that fuji-inspired waves have made percussion-driven music fashionable again, with talking drums and traditional rhythms increasingly appearing in mainstream production.

According to them, the renewed embrace of highlife and fuji reflects a broader shift within Nigerian music: the search for cultural authenticity in an increasingly globalised industry. They averred that as Afrobeats expands internationally, artistes are becoming more conscious of what makes Nigerian music unique. Sampling or referencing older genres provides both cultural depth and sonic distinction in a crowded global market.

For producers, these genres have really opened up a wealth of creative ideas, such as complex drum patterns, melodic guitar lines and narrative styles that can be reimagined for today’s listeners.

Music historians note that this pattern is not new, as Nigerian music has always evolved through reinvention.

They pointed out that Highlife, for example, originally mixed local rhythms with Western instruments, and Fuji started from Islamic devotional tunes before it became popular entertainment.

“The resurgence of Highlife and Fuji elements is already influencing how Nigerian music is produced and consumed. First, it has revived appreciation for live instrumentation in an era dominated by digital production. Bands and instrumentalists are once again gaining visibility on major stages and recordings,” said Gbenga Ridwan Bada, Group Entertainment Editor, The Nation Newspaper.

According to him, “The trend is creating cross-generational connections. Older listeners who grew up on Highlife and Fuji now find familiar elements in contemporary songs, while younger fans gain exposure to the genres that shaped their parents’ musical tastes. What this development has done is that it reinforces Nigeria’s cultural narrative in the global music industry.

“Looking ahead, the blending of highlife and fuji with Afrobeats may only deepen,” adding that “in many ways, today’s Afrobeats generation is simply continuing that tradition of fusion. Producers are increasingly sampling classic recordings, while younger artistes are collaborating with veteran musicians to reinterpret traditional sounds.

“This cross-generational exchange suggests that the next wave of Nigerian hits could be even more rooted in heritage while still sounding fresh and modern. In essence, the industry is witnessing a full-circle moment: the rhythms that once defined Nigeria’s past are now helping shape its musical future.”