HIPLIFE: A Contemporary Classic
Artist Statement, The Process and Acknowledgements
Hiplife is more than music, it’s a moment in time and a movement that changed lives. I’m hoping through this project, the world is reminded of the creative excellence that spurned out of Ghana, West Africa years ago through Hiplife. — AMA FRIMPONG
From the Root was the initial title of this seed as it popped up in my mind one obscure night. I had compiled a throng of songs that were reminiscent of my growing up in Kumasi during the golden era of Hiplife music. However I realized that as a subgenre, it’s unending sense of festivity, the memories it’d bred and the scope of its influence could not be captured in one single playlist. Suddenly, I wanted to build a whole world of music and imagery that encapsulated all that Hiplife meant to me by way of it’s stories, fashion and influence.
HIPLIFE: A Contemporary Classic — The Playlist
First of a three (3) piece series, the self-titled ‘Hiplife: A Contemporary Classic’ is a 20-song offering featuring the ‘grandpapa of Hiplife’ Reggie Rockstone, all the way to the new school of Asem and Richie. It is a chronological narrative, cognizant of release dates and factual occurrences that help tell the story fluidly. For instance, ‘Enwom No’ by Lord Kenya is placed right on the heels of Obrafour’s ‘Asem Sebe’ as reference to the heated rap beef between the two legends in the early 2000s.
The incomparable Castro D'destroyer, Triple M, (Ghana’s first female Hiplife trio), and the animated Big Joe Frazier all dazzle on this playlist.
Listen to HIPLIFE: A Contemporary Classic here
The Photo Album
In the spirit of intertwining themes and ideas, the HIPLIFE: A Contemporary Classic photo album draws up a visual persona inspired by Lord Kenya’s 2001 smash hit, ‘Medo’. It’s a song that conjured images in my head of a thriving, carefree young woman. Flirtatious and fashionable, muse to many, and lover to none.
The wardrobe is a nod to “apuskeleke” a Ghanaian y2k fashion style deemed provocative and daring. The term was coined within Hiplife music most notably heard in Barima Sidney’s 2003 hit, ‘Apuskeleke’.
Evidently, the imagery of the HACC photo album is an homage to the influence Hiplife songs/artists wielded on Ghanaian pop culture during its electric reign.
Peep the Hiplife: A Contemporary Classic photo album here
Location
Images were shot in Bantama, Kumasi, Ghana.
The story continues…
A project in three (3) parts, Hiplife: A Contemporary Classic unfolds in two (2) more installations set for later release.
i. Hiplife: The Deluxe offers a B-side experience to the HACC playlist with heavy hitters like Kontihene, Akatakyie, Sony Achiba and more making a first time appearance. The photo album of The Deluxe is based on the eccentricities of artists and the courage to stand out as inspired by late Hiplife titan, Terry Bonchaka.
ii. HIPLIFE: Production Couture: From Appietus and Jay Q, to Hammer and Zapp Mallet, Hiplife: Production Couture salutes the production behind some of Hiplife’s biggest records.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to express my utmost gratitude to God for this brilliant idea and the strength provided to see it through. The radio, my nagging nostalgia and the richness of my memories made this all possible.
My gratitude goes to the Hiplife artists, producers and playmakers that brought these songs to life through their genius and creativity. If it wasn’t for your courage to not only create but share your work, I wouldn’t be able to tell this story let alone, apply myself creatively in this way.
I would like to also thank my photographer, Adams Iddrisu, who trusted my vision and assisted me in more ways than one. Nana Kwame, for helping me design my promotional cover.
Special thanks to Teacher and his lotto kiosk, Bra Kwame, and Osibisa Bar, all located in Bantama, Kumasi.
Special thanks to Ghana Web archives, the curators of the ‘Slip Music’ compilation on Spotify, HAMMER TIME interviews on YouTube and all music archivists and Hiplife journalists that have kept the history alive.
Your work lives on.
Many thanks to all present and future listeners of the “HIPLIFE: A Contemporary Classic” playlist and all else to come from this project.
AMA FRIMPONG is a multimedia artist and curator, currently based in Kumasi, Ghana.
CONNECT
E-mail: chelseafrimpong@gmail.com
Instagram: @vawltaire
