Ghanaian Hiplife originator, Reggie Rockstone has expressed his utmost feelings and the kind of disrespect he gets from some industry players.
Speaking on Class 91.3 FM’s ‘The Big Show’ on April 15, 2023, Rockstone argued that the Hiplife movement he led in the 90s inspired today’s popular Afrobeats genre and that he and others who contributed to the movement deserve a share of its success.
The ’11:11′ hitmaker reveals the number of times he’s been asked if he gets appropriately acknowledged, stating this type of question wouldn’t pop up if he duly gets his share of what he and others have set up as a genre.
“We’re eligible for a slice of that pie because we worked for it,” he added, later bemoaning that were he adequately celebrated, he would repeatedly not be asked in interviews if he feels duly recognized.
“If everything had been put right, you would not have asked this question, would you have?”
“It seems you [Nana Kwesi] can realize that this guy’s [Rockstone] story and praise have not been duly broadcast,” he said.
Rockstone acknowledged that the lack of recognition he has received is a common experience for people like him, citing the adage that “a prophet is not respected in his hometown.” He believes that he and others like him are “sacrificial” and were brought up to contribute to their countries and communities.
“So, I understand it.”
“People like me and many others, we are sacrificial,” he added. “That’s [how] we [were] brought up [and] brought here to do.”
And I guess, many many [years after] when I’m gone is when people might see all that I did for Africa, the world, or my country,” he posited.
The ‘Keep Your Eyes on the Road’ hitmaker maintained that he is unbothered because “I didn’t come to do this for a hand clap.
“I did this because it’s something that God gave me and also I was raised Pan-African.”
He further disclose that he is not bothered by how he is being treated by his people in the industry because he didn’t pursue his career for what people call applause or acknowledgment, says it’s something good has been given to him and he’s proud of been the person behind the Hiplife genre.
He also attributed his commitment to Pan-Africanism to his upbringing.
