The Cavemen., Nigeria’s beloved highlife revivalists, are breaking new ground with British-Gambian rapper Pa Salieu on their latest single, Gatekeepers, expanding their sonic universe by merging lush percussive grooves and melodic guitar riffs with Pa Salieu’s gritty rap delivery and poetic flow.
The song merges the soulful roots of Nigerian highlife with the gritty urgency of UK rap, with The Cavemen. anchoring the song with their signature highlife revival sound, warm harmonies, melodic basslines, and rhythmic guitar work that pay homage to West African traditions. Pa Salieu’s verse slices through the track, injecting a gripping energy with his unique flow, infused with themes of struggle, resilience, and self-determination.
Lyrically, Gatekeepers speaks to freedom, resilience, and the courage to challenge norms, a fitting theme for two artists who’ve both carved unconventional paths in their respective genres. The song was taken from The Cavemen.’s forthcoming studio album, Cavy in the City, scheduled for release in a few days.
The collaboration represents a striking cross-cultural partnership that bridges West Africa and the UK, creating a defining moment for Afro-fusion in 2025.
Listen to Gatekeepers here.
