Ghanaian hiplife pioneer Reggie Rockstone says his long-standing cultural influence has made him “a politician by default,” even though he has never formally considered entering mainstream politics.
Speaking on Starr Chat with Bola Ray on Thursday, November 27, 2025, Rockstone explained that his decades of impact on youth culture, national conversations, and the creative industry naturally place him in the country’s political space.
“I haven’t considered doing politics, but I’ve said this many times before: I am a politician by default in my own way,” he said. “If you look at my constituency, which is the hiplife one, it’s pretty strong. The youth in the history of Ghana never had such a prolific voice.”
Rockstone recalled how his late aunt often reminded him that every Ghanaian is political in one way or another—a reflection of the nation’s intense civic engagement.
“The political climate is not a walk in the park. You really have to be built for it,” he noted. “Even with music we are struggling, how much more politics? But through my music, I’ve said so many things that have impacted.”
He emphasized that hiplife has grown into an influential force in Ghana’s creative economy, creating opportunities for thousands of young people across entertainment and related industries.
“Look at how many jobs Hiplife created. It’s not bragging, but it’s true,” he said. “So I’d say I am a politician, but on my own terms.”
Rockstone, widely regarded as the “Grandpapa of Hiplife,” remains one of the most influential figures in Ghana’s creative arts space, shaping both culture and public discourse for over two decades.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/Barbara Yeboah
