The debate over the originator of hiplife music in Ghana has been a long-standing issue in the music industry. Hiplife, a genre that emerged in Ghana in the early 90s, is a unique blend of American hip-hop and Ghanaian highlife music, creating a new sound that resonated with a new generation of Ghanaians.
One of the key figures in the hiplife music scene, Reggie Rockstone, has claimed to be the originator of the genre for years. However, there have been contradictory claims from other influential personalities who have contributed significantly to the growth of hiplife.
In a recent episode of “The Chat” on Channel One TV hosted by Ekow Koomson, legendary sound engineer Appiah Dankwah, popularly known as Appietus, settled the debate once and for all. During a discussion on “Ghana’s Musical Identity,” Appietus declared Reggie Rockstone as the true originator of hiplife music, putting an end to the ongoing controversy.
Appietus, who has produced over 200 hit songs, is well-known for his signature catchphrase “Appietus in the mix.” The name “Appietus” was derived from the phrase “Appiahs’ Tools,” highlighting his significant contributions to the music industry in Ghana.
