I’m not interested in writing a book on HIPLIFE” – Reggie Rockstone

Almost two decades now after giving birth to hiplife, Reggie Rockstone has confirmed he is not interested in writing a book on hiplife, despite all criticisms for him to do so.Undoubtedly, no human being in this world can take the cachet from Reggie Rockstone as the originator of the music genre, hiplife, which is actually a fusion of Ghana’s highlife music and the western hiphop. We all woke up last year to hear a female author by name Halifu Osumare from University of California has authored a book on Ghana’s hiplife titled;’The Hiplife in Ghana – West African Indigenization of Hiphop in Ghana’ with Reggie Rockstone’s picture boldly registered on the front cover of the book.
Last two weeks 11th April, 2003, saw the launch of another book on hiplife at Reggie Rockstone’s own Grand Papazz spot titled,“Living the Hiplife,” authored by Jesse Weaver Shipley. The book was first published by one of the top academic presses in the world; Duke University Press. The book talks about hiplife from the angle: Celebrity and Entrepreneurship in Ghanaian Popular Music. It is a historical and social account of hiplife, from the 1990s till date. Since Reggie Rockstone is the one who originated hiplife, many pundits and reviewers have lambasted him for not writing a book on hiplife.
Pravda radio therefore contacted the ‘Grand Papa’ for his take on such criticisms and this is what he said; “I am not interested in writing a book on hiplife. I am not a writer. I am a musician. Even if I will write a book, it will be an autobiography. Those who are interested in writing a book on hiplife came to me and I gave them the information they required to do so.”
Pravda radio asked Reggie if he stands to gain some financial benefits from such books and he added; “I have not gone into any talks or contracts with any of them on financial benefits for now. If it becomes necessary, I shall talk to them about it. Hiplife is now generic. Hiplife is for the people.”From Reggie’s inclination, he has no shame for saying he is not interested in writing a book on a music genre he originated.
Writing a book on hiplife and writing his own autobiography, which one does Reggie owe to Ghanaians and Ghana’s music industry? Grand Papa has spoken. Let’s all keep the discussion alive.