Ghanaian Profiles: How Reggie and Bollie broke into the music industry
We are now fully loaded for the music industry” – Reggie and Bollie X Factor 2015
It all seems like a distant memory today we are all used to seeing and hearing Ghanaian musicians and artists gracing the billboard charts or doing collaborations with Beyonce and more. But cast your mind back and it was a cold December in 2015 when two boys put Ghanaian music and talent back on the international stage. Many may think it was insignificant but on Saturday (12th December 2015) over 9 million people watched a weekend (Saturday and Sunday combined) where Reggie N Bollie also known as “Menn On Point” to those in the know go on stage and perform a selection of chosen tracks to over 10,000 screaming fans at the Wembley Arena, London.
It is fair to say that the song choices they were offered were never going
to help them win but being in the final was a sure sign of winning. The first part of the final on that Saturday was probably their biggest and probably their best performance where they were joined by an exuberant Fuse ODG. He seemed to be still full of the energy of Ghana as he explained to Simon Cowell and the other judges how he had just flown in from Ghana just for this performance. The boy’s were later joined by the ever smooth Craig David who looked like he had been encased in some time warp never aging
The announcement of Craig David to the stage sent the crowd wild. Even Simon Cowell had to give Craig David a thumbs up as he made his way to the stage whilst singing his classic debut garage hit. Craig still had the energy and the style of Craig David of old. The performance was electric and really seemed to take the X Factor show to another level. I think the audience was more in awe of Craig David making a come back but it looked like Reggie and Bollie could just make it. The stage was later set alight by another Ghanaian Fleur East as she collaborated with Little Mix. Fleur East is a true star in the making like Reggie and Bollie she is full of energy.
Back to the boys, the interesting thing about Reggie and Bollie is that they have released songs in the past as solo artists in Ghana Reggie released three songs in 2006 called Virgin, For Sale and Adoma. In 2004, Whilst Bollie also had a hit called You May Kiss The Bride. So clearly they are not new to the music industry. But let us get down to the detail.
The last song choice on Sunday was 
really weak it seemed like the musical directors and coaches had run out of ideas. I bet they were all asking. “Ok ladies and gents, how do we turn Afro beats performers into soppy wet Christmas number one singers”. The outcome was a disappointing vocal rendition of the Bob Dylan’s Forever Young. To be fair from singing high energy songs to ballads it was never going to be easy the great British Public were probably looking for something a little more warming and stable for a Christmas hit.
As Reggie explained as he was asked what do you think of you performance by Simon Cowell. He replied “We are now fully loaded for the music industry”. Its always good to look back and see where it all started from.
Update- where are they now
It was a roller coaster ride for Reggie and Bolly, from coming second in Xfactor in 2015 the next few years have been a challenge as they have tried to make an impact on the music scene. After a short lived summer tune in 2016. The Due were later dropped by Simon Cowells record label. But this was not the end. The due are still working hard making the most of the digital music scene and are gathering a strong and loyal following. Recently getting exposure on Spotify, as well as collaborations with Beenie man. As of 2023 the boys are still working hard and will be headlining a number of summer shows in 2023. Follow them on their FaceBook and Instagram pages
Salomi Seiche is a regular and long time contributor to viewGhana who focuses everything from, events, attractions, events to music.
