Reggie Rockstone

Reggie Rockstone (Reginald Yaw Asante Ossei, "the Godfather of Hiplife") is a Ghanaian rapper . He was born in the United Kingdom but lived his early years in Ghana in Kumasi and Accra. He has been living in Ghana continuously since he pioneered the Hip-Life movement in 1994.[2]

Reggie Rockstone
Background information
Birth nameReginald Yaw Asante Osei
Also known asHip life Grand papa
GenresHip hop, Hiplife
Occupation(s)Rapper, entrepreneur, producer
Years active(1990–present)
LabelsKassa records [1]
Associated acts

He pioneered the Hiplife art form and has played an important role in the development of this uniquely African genre in Ghana's capital Accra. He raps in Akan Twi and English.[3] In 2004, Rockstone won the Kora Award for the best African video and he performed in front of a 50,000-person crowd in Ghana, together with Shaggy.[4] In 2006 he recorded a track with the Jamaican Dancehall singer Beenie Man called "Chukku Chakka" (in reference to Rockstone's 1999 hit "Eye Mo De Anaa", which sampled Fela Kuti).

Rockstone is the son of fashion designer Ricky "Ricci" Ossei (Saint Ossei). Reggie Rockstone attended Achimota School. Reggie joined Ghanaian hip hop group VVIP following the exit of Promzy in 2014.[5][6]

Early life and music career

Born in the U.K. on April 11, 1964, Reginald Osei aka Reggie Rockstone attached himself to the Hip Hop movement in the early 80's as a dancer. Travelling on a tri-continental basis (i.e. Accra, New York, London), he broadened his Hip Hop scope. A natural performer and trained actor, he grabbed the mic with no problem when his calling came in 1991.[1]

His first 'fifteen minutes of fame' came as a dancer in Accra, Ghana in the early 80's. His second chance of fame came in 1992-93 as member of one of the top rap groups from London, England. He belonged to PLZ (Parables, Linguistics and Zlang) with Fredi Funkstone, Jay (both from West Africa) & DJ Pogo of the U.K. Number one hits from PLZ included "If it Aint PLZ" and an EP entitled "Build a Wall Around Your Dreams" released on an independent label called "Go For the Juggler." 1994 became the watershed or turning point in his entertainment career. The rap scene in London was not rewarding enough. He returned to Accra to encounter a whole generation of people grooving to African-American rhythms, all heavily influenced by the same elements of Hip Hop that he knew all too well.[7]

Recognition and music style

He had an idea! Use the hip hop beats with authentic phat production and lace it with true African dialect; The Akan language of Twi. It became the tool to make such butter classics as "Sweetie, Sweetie", "Tsoo Boi", "Nightlife in Accra" and "Agoo" from his debut album in 1997 entitled "Makaa! Maka!".[8] Launched on an independent label called KASSA RECORDS that he partly owns, Reggie Rockstone has reached Ghanaians and non-Ghanaians across four continents[1] Reggie Rockstone is credited as the pioneer of hiplife or Kasahara music in Ghana and like some masters of the art of hip hop, he has proclaimed his retirement and out of retirement several times. His specialty in Asante Twi and is incredibly well versed in English too. He is internationally acclaimed, with several performances throughout West Africa, the UK, France, USA and Switzerland.[1]

Appointments to be on judges panels

In 2013 he was selected to be a judge of the maiden edition of the Glo X Factor Africa along with Onyeka Onwenu and M.I.[9] He was also a judge for the fifth edition of the Malta Guinness Street Dance competition in 2012.[10]

Globacom brand ambassador

In 2009 Rockstone was one of 17 Public figures,who were outdoored by Globacom to endorse their brand, which was part of their preparations to roll out in Ghana.[11]

Rockstone condoms

He introduced Rockstone Condoms, which is his own brand of the contraceptive to the Ghanaian market in August 2013. With this move, he was pitching in to the zero infection or prevalence initiative against HIV/AIDS's goals.[12]

Albums

Rockstone recorded four albums for the Kassa Records label and one for MixerPot:

  • Makaa Maka (I Said It Because I Said It), 1997
  • Me Na Me Kae (I Was The One Who Said It), 1999
  • Me Ka (I Will Say), 2000
  • Last show, 2004
  • Reggiestration, 2010

Rockz Waakye

He owns a food distribution business which packages the Ghanaian dish waakye for delivery to hotels. The food is packaged in glass jars.[13]

References
  1. "Reggie Rockstone". Ghana Web. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
  2. "Reggie Rockstone - New Songs, Playlists & Latest News - BBC Music". BBC. Retrieved 2020-05-26.
  3. "Accra reclaims hip-hop", BBC News, 4 November 2003.
  4. "Ghanaian artists you'll be hearing across Ras' shows", BBC Radio 1.
  5. "Reggie Rockstone now a member of VIP - Reggie, VIP manager confirm - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 2018-04-23.
  6. "Reggie Rockstone JOINS VIP-CONFIRMED". Ghanacelebrities.com. 2013-11-20. Retrieved 2018-04-23.
  7. "Reggie Rockstone represents Ghana at the Idols W/A finals". MyJoyOnline.com. 2007-05-23. Retrieved 2020-05-26.
  8. "Hiplife 3:16, The gospel according to Reggie Rockstone". TheAfricanDream.net. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  10. "Heroes win Malta Guinness Street Dance Season 5".
  11. "Glo Mobile Ghana unveils Ambassadors". ghananewsagency.org.
  12. "Reggie Rockstone Launches Rockstone Condoms". www.ghanacelebrities.com. August 25, 2013.
  13. "Jar-Waakye: Why Rockstone packaged popular dish in glass jars (AUDIO)". Graphic Online. Retrieved 2020-09-30.
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