Ghana Mourns Highlife Legend Daddy Lumba: A Voice That Defined Generations
Ghana’s music fraternity has been thrown into mourning following the death of celebrated highlife musician Charles Kojo Fosu, affectionately known as Daddy Lumba. The music icon passed away on Saturday, July 26, 2025, after a short illness, according to an official statement issued by the Fosu family.
The statement, signed by family counsel Fati Ali Yallah of Baba Jamal & Associates, described the family’s “profound sorrow and deep grief,” hailing Daddy Lumba as “a cultural icon whose music touched countless lives.”
A legacy of timeless music
For more than three decades, Daddy Lumba’s music shaped the soundtrack of Ghanaian life. With a career spanning over 30 albums, his soulful voice and poignant lyrics resonated deeply with audiences, weaving tales of love, struggle, hope, and resilience. Songs like Aben Wo Ha, Yentie Obiaa, and Theresa cemented his place in Ghana’s cultural heritage, making him one of the most influential figures in the history of highlife music.
Often hailed as the “King of Highlife,” Daddy Lumba’s artistry transcended borders, earning him recognition among Ghanaians in the diaspora and music lovers worldwide. His collaborations with other music greats, including the late Nana Acheampong, produced classics that continue to define the highlife genre.
A cultural icon beyond music
The Fosu family remembered Daddy Lumba as more than just a musician. “His soulful voice provided the soundtrack to our love stories, and his poignant lyrics captured the poetry of our struggles, dreams, and resilience,” the statement read.
Colleagues, fans, and industry leaders have taken to social media to express their grief and celebrate the icon’s contributions. Tributes poured in, with many describing him as a generational voice whose music bridged the past and present of Ghanaian sound.
Funeral arrangements and family request
The family has appealed for privacy during this difficult period as they come to terms with the loss. Details of funeral arrangements will be communicated in the coming days.
As Ghanaians reflect on Daddy Lumba’s passing, his enduring body of work remains—a living archive of Ghanaian music and culture. His melodies will continue to echo across homes, markets, and stages, ensuring that the man who gave the nation some of its most beloved anthems lives on through his art.
Below is the statement communicating the legend’s passing:
