Africa’s musical evolution tells a story deeper than entertainment—it is a sonic chronicle of migration, resistance, celebration, and transformation. From the palm wine-scented breezes of coastal West Africa to the gritty pulse of urban Lagos and Johannesburg, African music genres have blossomed through cross-cultural fertilization. In this article, we trace the path from Highlife—one of Africa’s earliest popular genres—to the rise of African Hip Hop, exploring how these styles not only shaped the continent’s identity but also influenced global music.