Okyeame Kwame says Ghana’s hiplife history should recognise the distinct contributions of music producer Zapp Mallet and rapper Reggie Rockstone.
Speaking on Adom TV on September 21, 2026, the musician questioned claims that the genre’s creation should be attributed primarily to Oseikrom.
Instead, he argued that hiplife emerged through the work of individuals who shaped both its sound and its cultural identity. He described Zapp Mallet and Reggie Rockstone as the genre’s “two pillars”.
According to Okyeame Kwame, Zapp Mallet was central to developing the musical foundation of hiplife. Reggie Rockstone, meanwhile, helped bring that sound to a broader audience by establishing and popularising the lifestyle associated with it.
He said the rapper’s influence extended beyond his music, particularly during the early stages of his career.
Recalling Reggie Rockstone’s appearance and performances at the time, Okyeame Kwame described him as wearing camouflage jeans, Timberland boots, a white singlet and dreadlocks. He also referred to Rockstone’s trademark expression, “tsoooboi”, which became part of his public identity.
For Okyeame Kwame, those elements helped define an important stage in hiplife’s development. He said Reggie Rockstone’s image, performance style and presentation helped turn the genre into a wider cultural movement, while Zapp Mallet’s production work helped establish its distinctive sound.
His comments challenge a version of hiplife’s origins that places the emphasis mainly on Oseikrom. Instead, Okyeame Kwame called for the genre’s history to reflect the separate but complementary roles played by Zapp Mallet and Reggie Rockstone.
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