You don’t need drugs to be creative in reggae and dancehall – Epixode breaks stereotypes
Ghanaian Reggae-Dancehall artiste Epixode is reshaping perceptions of his genre by living a lifestyle that defies its most common stereotypes.
In an interview with Nana Romeo on Okay FM, the singer revealed that, despite years of industry experience, he has never smoked or consumed alcohol, a deliberate choice rooted in personal discipline and family values.
“It was a personal decision to stay good,” he stated, adding, “I was fortunate to see life early.” Raised by a musician mother and a banker father, Epixode credits his grounded upbringing for helping him steer clear of industry pitfalls. “My mother was on tour as a musician when I was just a toddler. I’m not saying I was spoiled rotten, but at least home was good. My father also worked in a bank.”
The presence of both parents, he noted, gave him the stability needed to resist peer pressure and make intentional choices. “Good parenting helped me make conscious choices,” he said.
Though he now sports tattoos, he pointed out that these came much later in life. “I only got my tattoos about two years ago. Before that, I had no piercings, no tattoos—nothing,” Epixode posited. “It’s not that I couldn’t do those things, but growing up, I wanted to be different.”
Pushing back on the notion that substance use fuels creativity in music, he stated: “I stand to be corrected, but Lucky Dube did not smoke or drink [for inspiration].” He even added with a hint of humor, “Let me ask—do Gospel musicians use hard drugs to inspire their work?”
With a musical lineage that shaped his career path, Epixode believes natural talent outweighs any chemically induced boost. “I come from a musical home, and that explains my gift. I don’t think you need to rely on something harmful.”
He concluded by challenging the often one-dimensional image of Reggae and Dancehall: “I believe there’s a sweet side to Reggae and Dancehall. Artists like Sean Paul, Konshens, and Beenie Man show that side. It’s not always about violence, bravado, or gangster life.”
