Highlife musician Terry Asamoah Boateng, widely known as Dada Hafco, has sparked conversation with bold praise for Reggie Rockstone, asserting that the pioneer of hiplife has created “more jobs than any government in the Fourth Republic.”
Speaking in an interview on JoyPrime on Thursday November 20, he emphasised that Ghana has not fully acknowledged the magnitude of Reggie Rockstone’s influence.
He noted that while the musician personally reached out to him after he shared an earlier tribute, the reality remains that the nation has yet to give Reggie the recognition he deserves.
According to him, Reggie Rockstone’s impact has been profound and far-reaching since he touched down in Ghana in the mid-90s.
“We haven’t acknowledged him enough. I believe he’s created more jobs than any government in the Fourth Republic,” he stated.
He explained that the ripple effect of Reggie Rockstone’s introduction of hiplife in 1995 and the release of Agoro in 1996 cannot be overstated. The genre opened a new economic space—not just for musicians, but for an entire ecosystem of creatives who previously had no defined place in Ghana’s economy.
Dada Hafco noted that before the emergence of hiplife, many talents would have struggled for survival, especially those without formal education.
“Look at the impact musicians have had on their families and even on the economy. You can’t quantify it,” he said. “From Reggie’s time till now, look at the number of musicians who have passed through the system. Imagine if he hadn’t started the movement—where would all of us be?”
He added that the music industry has not only provided livelihoods for artistes but has created ripple effects across multiple sectors:
• Bloggers and digital media crews who now travel with artistes
• PAs, managers and choreographers whose jobs once carried little respect
• Dancers who were previously dismissed as doing “kubolor work”
• Creative entrepreneurs, producers, DJs, stylists and performance directors
Today, he said, creatives are acknowledged in national budgets, invited to policy spaces and recognised as contributors to the economy—developments he credits to the foundation laid by Reggie Rockstone.
“We haven’t given Reggie Rockstone his flowers. In fact, we need to give him a whole garden,” Dada Hafco stressed. “He is the Chuck D of our industry.”
He frowned upon the growing trend of younger artistes disrespecting the man widely considered the Grandpapa of hiplife, saying such attitudes overlook the sacrifices and doors he opened.
Drawing parallels to comments by American producer Swizz Beatz—who once said hip-hop artistes should set aside money for the pioneers who built the culture—Dada Hafco insisted the same principle should apply in Ghana.
He went further to propose national honours for Reggie Rockstone.
“Reggie must be called to Parliament or the seat of government one day and given the Order of the Volta or something. It has to happen.”
Dada Hafco’s remarks add to growing calls for Ghana to formally recognise the architects of its modern music scene—especially those whose contributions have shaped careers, industries and entire cultural movements.
