Nigerian DJ duo DJ Ozone (Turn Up) takes listeners back to the golden era with a one-hour Highlife Mix.
The mix opens with Cardinal Rex Jim Lawson’s “Yellow Sisi” and keeps rolling through seventeen records. Lawson returns several times, with “So Ala Temen,” “Okina,” “Sawale,” and “Ibi Na Bo,” so his sound anchors the whole hour. Dr Victor Olaiya then brings the trumpet on “Trumpet Highlife” and “Invitation Highlife.” Fun fact, both Fela Kuti and Tony Allen once played in Olaiya’s band before going solo.
The tracklist crosses regions too. Celestine Ukwu’s “Ama Di” carries the Igbo side, while Fatai Rolling Dollar’s “She Go Run Away” brings Yoruba flavour. Nana Kwame Ampadu’s “Kofi Nkrabea” adds a Ghanaian touch, so the mix feels bigger than one country.
Sir Victor Uwaifo gets two moments with “Guitar Boy” and “Joromi.” That second one earned him a gold disc back in 1965, and it still sounds fresh today. King Sunny Ade closes things out with “Appreciation,” a smooth handoff from highlife into juju.
DJ Ozone (Turn Up) keeps the transitions clean, so the hour plays like one long party instead of seventeen separate songs. Older listeners get their classics, and younger ones get a proper history lesson without the lecture.
Play the “Best Nigerian Old Highlife Mix” and tell us – which classic took you back the most?
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