The Music Feature: Living the Highlife
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Critically acclaimed Afrobeat artist and member of
Nineties chart sensation Soul II Soul, Wumni, meets the men among
the biggest stars of Highlife music in the Fifties and Sixties in Living
the Highlife, a two-part series on 大象传媒 World Service.
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Living the Highlife features
the best music from a special concert put together by 大象传媒 World Service
and Wumni goes behind the scenes to meet the musicians.
Staged at the Nimbus Art Centre in Ikoyi, Lagos, the line-up includes
Dr Victor Olaiya, Fatai Rolling Dolar, Jimi Solanke,
Chris Ajilo, Maliki Showman, Alaba Pedro and Billy
Bassy, backed by the evening's house band led by YS Akinbosum.
Highlife music originated in Ghana but by the Fifties was firmly established
in Nigeria as one of the most popular styles.
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Crowds flocked to see the stars play, fusing African
rhythms, big brass sections, jazz and rhythm and blues with philosophical,
sometimes risqu茅, lyrics.
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Highlife music plays a key part in Nigeria's musical
heritage, its influence being heard in a variety of modern day styles,
including Afrobeat, Juju and African hip-hop.
The musical director for the evening, Duro Ikujenyo, formerly
Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti's piano player, is an authority on Highlife
music.
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He explains the musicians place in Nigerian musical
history, and says: "Many of these musicians are in their seventies
now, so it is vital we capture the spirit of their youth while we still
have the chance."
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Presenter /Wumni; Producer / James Finlayson.
Broadcast times: The Music Feature: 2 x 25 minute programmes, Mondays,
from 29 September, 9.30am, 1.30pm and 7.30pm.
Listen online via bbc.co.uk/worldservice
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