King Charles III has included a track by the iconic Ghanaian musician Daddy Lumba on his Commonwealth Day playlist. The song, “Mpempem Do Me,” from Daddy Lumba’s 2008 album Sika, is a classic highlife tune that has now gained international attention after being featured on the King’s Apple Music playlist.
The curated playlist, released to celebrate Commonwealth Day, features songs from different Commonwealth nations, highlighting the rich cultural diversity across the globe. Daddy Lumba’s inclusion reflects the King’s appreciation for African, Caribbean, and traditional music, contributing to the growing global recognition of highlife music.
Daddy Lumba is known for his timeless contributions to Ghanaian highlife, and this recognition serves as a significant moment for Ghanaian music on an international platform. Commonwealth Day, observed annually, celebrates the unity and shared values of the 56 member nations, and the King’s playlist is a tribute to the musical traditions that define each of them.
The inclusion of “Mpempem Do Me” reinforces the presence of highlife music in global music history.
