Veteran Ghanaian musician Reggie Rockstone, affectionately called hiplife ‘grandpapa,’ says he is not perturbed by the apparent lack of recognition of his contribution to the music industry, adding that his wife remains his biggest cheerleader.
According to the member of the VVIP music group, the fact that he doesn’t get a lot of awards during the numerous award shows is no indicator that his contribution in the music space is irrelevant.
“I am too humble; I have been a very simple man and humility has always been my shield. I was raised so. And I know when I pass there’s going to be a lot of talks just like everybody, when you die that’s when people celebrate you for your good work”, he told Ghanaweb.com in an interview.
“As for my accolades I think I have enough from my wife and I’m content because I have never been an award guy, I didn’t come from that school,” he added.
The “Plan Ben” hitmaker said he takes consolation from the fact that Ghanaians are known for celebrating people only when they are dead.
He said aside from the few people who compliment him for his enormous contribution to the Ghana music industry, he has never been an awards guy so doesn’t grieve when he is not recognised.
Born Reginald Yaw Asante Ossei, Reggie is credited for pioneering the Hiplife genre of music and has played a significant role in the development of this uniquely African genre in Ghana’s capital Accra.
Reggie who raps in Twi and English won the Kora Award for the best African video in 20014. He once upon a time performed in front of 50,000 people in Ghana together with Shaggy.
In 2006, he recorded a track with the Jamaican Dancehall singer Beenie Man called “Chukku Chakka”. 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.
Albums Reggie has to his credit include Me Na Me Kae, Face 2 Face, 10.0, Plan Ben? Tsoo Boi and Reggiestration.
As a member of VVIP, the trio have hit songs like Skolom, Dogo Yaro, Selfie, Alhaji, Koliko among others.
Source: ghanaweb