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Music of Sunday, 4 November 2007

Source: ghanamusic.com

Reggie Rockstone speaks of mafia in hiplife

“I didn’t wanna be a part of a movement that I started that I had no control over. They had this little mafia thing going on and they totally isolated the artists. Then I said look, if you gonna eff it up then I don’t wanna be responsible. When people come into this country and ask about hiplife, they come talk to Reggie,” Reggie Rockstone points out flaws in the Hiplife movement.


It’s the first time the Hiplife Grand papa has openly mentioned the word ‘mafia’ in Hiplife. He links it to the pay and play relationship between executive producers, artistes and radio DJs, which is also known as payola. The payola system makes it almost impossible for innovative but poor artists to come out in the lime light. Reggie refers to the payola system as one through which fame is bought by the highest bidder and not by dint of ones ability and musical prowess.


Reggie went on retirement after he realized phoney MCs and clones were polluting the scene. Now he says he’s returning to teach the young kids how the pioneer used to do it. The yet to be named new album from Reggie Rockstone is a double one that contains remixes of his old songs.


Okomfo Kwaade, Mobile Boys and Kwaw Kesse are still on his list of finest Hiplife artists. His new management says the new album will be set for release next year. The albums featured some of Ghana’s greats including Sway and Kwaku T of Big Brother Africa II fame.