Afrobeats was born from Ghanaian highlife; Everyone knows this” – Kojo Blak

Kojo Blak

Ghanaian artiste Kojo Blak has reignited the conversation about the origins of Afrobeats, asserting that the genre has its roots in Ghana. Speaking on #BrytXtra, Kojo Blak stated that Afrobeats was birthed from Ghana's contemporary highlife music. He emphasized that Ghana remains the "oasis and origin" of Afrobeats, a fact widely acknowledged globally.

Kojo Blak explained that highlife's rhythmic structures, melodies, and storytelling laid the groundwork for modern Afrobeats. He acknowledged Nigeria's contribution to the genre's global expansion and commercialization but maintained that recognition must be given to Ghana, where it originated.

The debate about Afrobeats' true origin continues to stir discussions across West Africa. Kojo Blak's comments add to Ghanaian voices calling for greater acknowledgment of Ghana's influence on the sound dominating global charts.

Afrobeats has grown into a dominant sound across Africa and beyond, flourishing in both Ghana and Nigeria. Kojo Blak insists its story remains incomplete without recognizing Ghanaian highlife as its seed.

"Ghana is the oasis of Afrobeats, the origin, and everybody knows this."

"Afrobeats was given birth to by the Ghanaian contemporary highlife music genre, and even in the Afrobeats documentary on Netflix, it says so. Ghana plays a very big role when it comes to the Afrobeats genre."