Hiplife was pioneered in the mid-1990s by Reggie Rockstone, often called the 'Godfather of Hiplife.' He combined rap delivery in Twi with Highlife rhythms and hip-hop production — creating a distinctly Ghanaian urban sound.
The genre features rapping (often in Twi, Ga, or Pidgin), sampled or replayed Highlife melodies, electronic drum patterns, and bass-heavy production. Key artists include VIP (now VVIP), Obrafour, Tinny, Sarkodie (who bridges Hiplife and rap), and Kwaw Kese.
Hiplife was the dominant genre in Ghana before the Afrobeats wave. It remains culturally significant and continues to influence modern Ghanaian pop production.