In Nigerian studio culture, “Track A” sometimes means the first mix of the day or a demo that wasn’t meant for public release. It’s possible that a recording engineer or a session musician leaked a rough mix of Adaobi’s session, and that’s what went viral. The artist herself may not have officially published it.

Adaobi Ikeh is at the vanguard of this movement alongside artists like and The Udeme Gospel Ensemble . But “Ancient Hymn Track A” is special because it doesn’t try to modernize the hymn too much—it simply puts a Highlife engine under it.

The track "Highlifeng" serves as a model for innovative and thoughtful approaches to traditional music, highlighting the possibilities of blending old and new to create something unique and captivating. As we continue to search for ancient hymns and explore their significance, we are reminded of the importance of cultural heritage and the need to preserve our collective musical memory for future generations.

Her voice acts as a bridge between the old-school faith of the "village church" and the modern production quality required by today's streaming audiences. Her music is characterized by:

Report: "Ancient Hymn" by Adaobi Ikeh The track is a prominent Igbo gospel anthem by Nigerian music minister Adaobi Ikeh (also known as Chi-Melody). Released in September 2023 and heavily promoted on platforms like HighlifeNg , the song is characterized by its blend of traditional "songs of saints" with contemporary gospel styles . Key Details Artist: Adaobi Ikeh (Chi-Melody). Release Date: September 15, 2023. Genre: Igbo Gospel / Highlife.