Nigerian singer KCee has opened up about his transition from pure Afrobeats to highlife music, explaining that the shift was intentional and inspired by his upbringing.
Nigerian singer KCee has opened up about his transition from pure Afrobeats to highlife music, explaining that the shift was intentional and inspired by his upbringing.
The artist shared that he grew up in a musical environment, where his father ran record stores and worked as a DJ. From a young age, KCee performed at weddings and parties, which helped him develop an ear for hit records and rich melodies. He cites legendary highlife musicians such as Oliver De Coque and Osita Osadebe as major influences on his love for the genre.
Over time KCee noticed a gap in the music scene: many of these highlife legends were no longer active, and few contemporary artists were fully embracing the genre. Recognizing this, he decided to bring highlife back, blending traditional sounds with modern elements to create his unique style.
“I realized our people love highlife, but not many were championing it,” KCee explained. “So I embraced that sound, added my flavour, and modernized it. That move opened a new lane for me and made people see me as a highlife force, not just a regular Afro artist.”
KCee decision has allowed him to stand out in the Nigerian music industry, showing that combining heritage with contemporary music can create a fresh and engaging sound for fans.
Fans have responded positively to his approach, praising his dedication to preserving highlife while keeping it relevant for modern audiences.