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| native_name =
| alias = Hip life Grand papa
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1964|4|11|df=yes}}<ref>{{cite web|workname=Ghana Web|title=Reggie Rockstone|url=http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/people/person.php?ID=351|accessdate=7 September 2015}}<"auto"/ref>
| birth_place =
| origin =
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*Kwaku-T
*PLZ
*[[Sway (British musician)|Sway (rapper)]]
*[[2face Idibia]]
*[[Efya]]
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}}
'''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 [[Hiplife|Hip-Life]] movement in 1994.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Reggie Rockstone - New Songs, Playlists & Latest News - BBC Music|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/artists/1b54f3c7-ed24-4fd0-be86-bd2a669850a3|website=BBC|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-05-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=My father funded hiplife - Reggie Rockstone |url=https://www.graphic.com.gh/entertainment/music/my-father-funded-hiplife-reggie-rockstone.html |access-date=2022-04-30 |website=Graphic Online |language=en-gb}}</ref> He is married to Dr. Zilla Limann, Daughter of [[Hilla Limann]], the only president of the third Republic of Ghana. They have three kids together and have been married since 2001.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Zilla Limann, Biography |url=https://mobile.ghanaweb.com/person/Zilla-Limann-3812 |access-date=2023-01-02 |website=mobile.ghanaweb.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-24 |title=Reggie Rockstone's wife and daughter involved in an accident - MyJoyOnline.com |url=https://www.myjoyonline.com/reggie-rockstones-wife-and-daughter-involved-in-an-accident/ |access-date=2023-01-02 |website=www.myjoyonline.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
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 precisely [[Asante dialect|Asante]] [[Twi]] and [[English language|English]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3241007.stm "Accra reclaims hip-hop"], BBC News, 4 November 2003.</ref> In 2004, Rockstone won the [[Kora Awards|Kora Award]] for the best African video and he performed in front of a 50,000-person crowd in Ghana, together with [[Shaggy (artist)|Shaggy]].<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/onemusic/ras/ghana_profiles.shtml#reggie "Ghanaian artists you'll be hearing across Ras' shows"], BBC Radio 1.</ref> In 2006, he recorded a track with the [[Jamaica]]n [[Dancehall]] singer [[Beenie Man]] called "Chukku Chakka" (in reference to Rockstone's 1999 hit "Eye Mo De Anaa", which sampled [[Fela Kuti]]). Rockstone is featured in the 2007 documentary "[https://www.twn.org/catalog/pages/responsive/cpage.aspx?rec=1183&card=price Living the Hiplife]" (dir. Jesse Weaver Shipley).
Reggie Rockstone is the son of fashion designer Ricky "Ricci" Ossei (Saint Ossei). Reggie Rockstone attended [[Achimota School]]. ReggieRockstone joined the Ghanaian hip hop group [[VVIP (hip hop group)|VVIP]] following the exit of Promzy in 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.myjoyonline.com/entertainment/2013/November-20th/reggie-rockstone-now-a-member-of-vip-reggie-vip-manager-confirm.php|title=Reggie Rockstone now a member of VIP - Reggie, VIP manager confirm - MyJoyOnline.com|website=www.myjoyonline.com|access-date=2018-04-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ghanacelebrities.com/2013/11/20/reggie-rockstone-joins-vip-confirmed-read-joined-group/|title=Reggie Rockstone JOINS VIP-CONFIRMED|date=2013-11-20|work=Ghanacelebrities.com|access-date=2018-04-23|language=en-US}}</ref>
==Early life and music career==
Born in the [[United Kingdom|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 City|New York]], [[London]]), he broadened his Hip Hop scope.<ref>{{Cite Aweb natural|last=Rodgers performer|first=Ferdie and|date=2020-11-11 trained|title=Reggie actorRockstone biography: wife, heparents, grabbedhometown, theeducation, micsongs with|url=https://yen.com.gh/175269-reggie-rockstone-biography-wife-parents-hometown-education-songs.html no|access-date=2022-04-30 problem|website=Yen.com.gh when- hisGhana news. |language=en}}</ref> As a performer and trained actor, he callingbegan camerapping in 1991.<ref name="auto"/>
His first 'fifteen minutes of fame' came as a dancer in Accra, Ghana in the early 80's. His second chance ofat fame came in 1992-93 as a 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]] [[rhythm]]s, all heavily influenced by the same elements of Hip Hop that he knew all too well.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Reggie Rockstone represents Ghana at the Idols W/A finals|url=https://www.myjoyonline.com/entertainment/reggie-rockstone-represents-ghana-at-the-idols-wa-finals/|date=2007-05-23|website=MyJoyOnline.com|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-26}}</ref>
==Recognition and music style==
He had an idea! Useused the hip hop beats with authentic phat production and lacelaced it with true African dialect; The [[Akan people|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!".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.theafricandream.net/hiplife-316-gospel-according-to-reggie-2/ | title=Hiplife 3:16, The gospel according to Reggie Rockstone | date=31 October 2012 | publisher=TheAfricanDream.net | accessdate=4 December 2019}}</ref> Launched on an independent label called KASSA RECORDS that he partly owns, Reggie Rockstone has reached Ghanaians and non-Ghanaians across four continents<ref name="auto"/>
Reggie Rockstone is credited as the pioneer of [[hiplife]] or [["Kasahara (music)|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 inis [[Asante Twi]] and is incredibly well versed in English too. He is internationally acclaimed, with several performances throughout [[West Africa]], the UK, [[France]], [[United States|USA]] and [[Switzerland]].<ref name="auto"/>
==Appointments to be on judges panels==
In 2013 he was selected to be a judge of the maiden edition of the [[Globacom|Glo]] [[X Factor]] Africa along with [[Onyeka Onwenu]] and [[M.I Abaga|M.I]].<ref>[{{cite web |url=http://www.loudsoundgh.com/2013/04/confirmed-reggie-rockstone-is-glo-x-factor-judge/ |title=Confirmed: Reggie Rockstone is Glo X Factor judge! | Loud Sound Ghana |website=www.loudsoundgh.com |access-date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140629053940/http://www.loudsoundgh.com/2013/04/confirmed-reggie-rockstone-is-glo-x-factor-judge/] |archive-date=29 June 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> He was also a judge for the fifth edition of the [[Malta]] Guinness Street Dance competition in 2012.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsghana.com.gh/heroes-win-malta-guinness-street-dance-season-5/|title=Heroes win Malta Guinness Street Dance Season 5}}</ref>
==Globacom brand ambassador==
In 2009, Rockstone was one of 17 [[Public figure]]s, who were outdoored by [[Globacom]] to endorse their brand, which was part of their preparations to roll out in [[Ghana]]. There was an allegation that he had been dropped as an ambassador but he denied the reports.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-07-20 |title=Reggie Rockstone denies reports he was dropped as Glo Ambassador - MyJoyOnline.com |url=https://ghananewsagencywww.orgmyjoyonline.com/economics/gloreggie-mobilerockstone-ghanadenies-unveilsreports-ambassadorshe-7962was-dropped-as-glo-ambassador/ |titleaccess-date=Glo Mobile2022-04-30 Ghana unveils Ambassadors|website=ghananewsagencywww.orgmyjoyonline.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Rockstone condoms==
He introduced Rockstone [[Condom]]s, which is his own brand of the contraceptive to the [[Ghana]]ian market in August 2013. With this move, he was pitching in tointo the zero infection or prevalence initiative against [[HIV/AIDS]]'s goals.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ghanacelebrities.com/2013/08/25/reggie-rockstone-launches-rockstone-condoms/|title=Reggie Rockstone Launches Rockstone Condoms|date=August 25, 2013|website=www.ghanacelebrities.com}}</ref>
==Albums==
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== Rockz Waakye ==
He owns a food distribution business whichthat packages the Ghanaian dish [[waakye]] for delivery to hotels. The food is packaged in glass jars.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jar-Waakye: Why Rockstone packaged popular dish in glass jars (AUDIO)|url=https://www.graphic.com.gh/lifestyle/life/jar-waakye-why-reggie-rockstone-packaged-popular-dish-in-glass-jars-audio.html|access-date=2020-09-30|website=Graphic Online|language=en-gb}}</ref>
==References==
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==External links==
<!--repeated below* [http://www.blissgh.com/2014/04/reggie-rockstone-joins-vip-vvip.html VIP Selfie with Reggie Rockstone]-->
* [http://www.blissghmuseke.com/2014node/04/reggie-rockstone-joins-vip-vvip.html243 "Reggie Rockstone joinsinfo, VIPlyrics, (VVIP)"]audio, BlissGh.cometc]
*[http://www.hiplifelovers.com hiplifelovers.com]. Most Popular Site for Ghana Music
*[http://www.ghanamusic.com/search/?domains=www.ghanamusic.com&q=reggie+rockstone&sa=Search&sitesearch=ghanamusic.com&client=pub-9860319315375096&forid=1&channel=1188097140&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&flav=0000&sig=kT0qSuME5qru11Ef&cof=GALT%3A%23008000%3BGL%3A1%3BDIV%3A%23ffffff%3BVLC%3Ad20000%3BAH%3Acenter%3BBGC%3AFFFFFF%3BLBGC%3A006699%3BALC%3A006699%3BLC%3A006699%3BT%3A000000%3BGFNT%3A6131BD%3BGIMP%3A6131BD%3BFORID%3A11&hl=en Ghana Music.com articles on Reggie Rockstone]
*[http://museke.com/node/243 Reggie Rockstone info, lyrics, audio, etc]
*[http://museke.com/node/2201 Interview with Reggie Rockstone about his life, and music]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92xASYyb4WY Videos on YouTube]
*[http://www.ghanabase.com/reggierockstone/default.asp Reggie Rockstone] HomePage on Ghana Base Music
*[http://livingthehiplife.haverford.edu ''Living The HipLife'']. A feature film documentary centering on Reggie Rockstone.
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[[Category:Ghanaian musicians]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Place of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Ghanaian rappers]]
[[Category:Alumni of Achimota School]]
[[Category:1964 births]]
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