In Defense of Reggie Rockstone.

Reggie Rockstone has been smeared and sometimes ridiculed in the news lately. The controversy surrounds his retirement from music, his role in hip-life and his personal life. There also those who think he is getting too much media attention than he actually deserves. You may probably be thinking about the car saga, his disagreement with Jay-Z or being refused to travel to the United States because of changes in immigration rules.

All persons born before the 1980s in England are British citizens. Reggie was born in England in the late 1960s and this makes him a British citizen. He was born to Ghanaian parents. Even though Reggie is a British citizen, he has always insisted he is Ghanaian and proud of it. He is also Ghanaian and has chosen to make Ghana his home.

Reggie has never at anytime claimed he invented rap or was the first person to rap in Ghana. Gyedu-Blay Ambolley, K. K. Kabobo, Mahonny P and others were “rapping” in their songs before Reggie hit the Ghanaian scene in 1994. Rockstone was the first person to use the word “Hip-life.” He coined the phrase because he believed that he was combining hip-pop with high-life to give a different kind of music. I personally believe Reggie should trademark the word hip-life. I know what you are thinking: why trademark a word that is commonly used? Donald Trump, a real estate developer, trademarked the phrase “You’re fired!” using the phrase on a successful hit tv show The Apprentice.

Some people are calling for Reggie’s retirement because they believe he is too old. I beg to differ on this one. Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre are still rapping and making records in the US. P. Diddy who prefers to be Diddy, was born in 1962 but he is still rapping and producing. Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson is over 30 years old. Reggie can still do a lot for Ghana music and should not quit.

Reggie has also been criticized for not releasing a lot of albums. Over a ten year solo career on the Ghanaian scene, Reggie released four albums. I agree it is not a lot of albums but it does not mean he is not a relevant person in hip-life. Can you remember where you were when you heard “Sweetie, Sweetie” or “Tsooboi?”

Here are some accomplishments of Reggie Rockstone.

1) He has had two successful careers: first with PLZ in the UK and a solo career in Ghana.

2) He has been featured in Source Magazine, Allhipop.com, BBC, Channel O and other international media.

3) Reggie Rockstone and Osibisa are the only two Ghanaians to date that have had their songs on the Billboard World 500.

4) He has shared the same stage with Shaggy, Wyclef, Akon, Sway and others.

5) Reggie has made songs with Bennie Man and Snoop Dogg (confirmed).

6) He brought a different genre of music to Ghana called hiplife.

7) The first person to co-own a hip-life studio called Kassa Records.

8) Rockstone was one of the first nominees for the Millennium Excellence award nights.

9) Reggie’s videos have been shown on Channel O which airs on over 44 countries

10) The “Ah” Video featuring K.K. Fosu and Suzzy Williams won the best African Video and the annual Kora Awards.

11) Reggie’s song can be found on Amazon.com, or Best Buy. (Check out a Rough Guide to African Music (CD).

12) He has performed in the US, UK, Brazil, South Africa, Switzerland and many, many countries.

13) A whole new generation of artists joined the music scene after Reggie came out with his first album. Some of the artists include Obrafour, Buk Bak, Chicago, Akyeame and Tic Tac.

These days Reggie Rockstone spends more time managing his late dad’s assets in Ghana than on the music scene. Rockstone has accomplished a lot for Ghana and we should all be proud of him. He has made Ghana his home instead of staying in the UK. He is definitely Ghana’s official ambassador of music. Rockstone you da bomb!

Nana Kwesi Ohio, USA
Email: nana27osei@yahoo.com