Reinventing Highlife Music: The Impact of the Western drum kit on Rhythmic and Melodic Contour in Nigerian Contemporary Highlife Music

Abstract

Nigerian highlife music has evolved from its traditional roots, influenced by legends like Osita Osadebe. Today, artists like Flavour, Tiwa Savage, and Phino fuse this music with modern styles like Afrobeats, R&B, and hip-hop, thereby creating a fresh and new sound. This article investigates the integration of the Western drum kit into Nigerian contemporary highlife music, focusing on its influence on rhythmic and melodic structure. Through analysis of rhythmic patterns, rudiments, and techniques, this paper reveals how the Western drum kit uniquely transforms Nigerian contemporary highlife music. The findings demonstrate how the drum kit's incorporation revitalizes Nigerian contemporary highlife music, expanding its rhythmic palette, expression, complexities and technical nuances. This paper contributes to our understanding of highlife music's evolution and its ongoing negotiation of traditional and modern influences.