Kabaka's 'Abialam' sets Highlife record with chart Performance.
The world of African highlife music is celebrating a historic achievement. Kabaka and His Oriental International Brothers, one of the most popular and influential bands in the genre, have reached a new milestone with their latest album, 'Abialam'. The album, which showcases the band's unique blend of traditional and modern sounds, has climbed to the number 50 spot on the Apple Music Top 100 chart worldwide, less than a day after its release. This is the highest position ever attained by an African highlife album on the global chart. The album has also risen to the number 27 spot on the chart after 48 hours, indicating a strong and sustained demand from listeners around the world.
This remarkable feat is a testament to the band's talent, creativity and hard work, as well as the growing appreciation and recognition of African highlife music as a vibrant and diverse musical form. Kabaka and His Oriental International Brothers have been making music since the 1960s, and have released over 50 albums in their career. They are widely regarded as pioneers and innovators of highlife music, incorporating elements of jazz, funk, rock, reggae and Afrobeat into their songs. Their music reflects their cultural roots as well as their social and political commentary on the issues affecting their continent and beyond.
'Abialam', which means 'We have arrived' in Igbo, is the band's most ambitious and experimental album to date. It features collaborations with other prominent African artists. The album also explores new musical directions, such as electronic beats, hip hop samples and psychedelic effects. The result is a rich and diverse sonic experience that appeals to both old and new fans of highlife music.
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The band's leader, Kabaka Okechukwu, expressed his gratitude and excitement for the album's success in a statement: "We are humbled and honored by the love and support we have received from our fans around the world. We are proud to represent African highlife music on the global stage, and we hope that our music will inspire and uplift people everywhere. We dedicate this album to our ancestors, our fellow musicians, our families and our fans. Abialam!"
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