Rocky Dawuni | |
|---|---|
 Rocky Dawuni | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Ghana |
| Occupation(s) | Musician and Activist |
| Website | www |
Rocky Dawuni [1] is a Ghanaian singer, a four-time Grammy-nominee, [2] [3] songwriter and record producer who performs his signature 'Afro Roots' sound which is a mixture of Reggae, Afrobeats, Highlife and Soul music. He currently lives between Ghana and United States. [4] Rocky is a musician and activist.
Dawuni got acquainted with Reggae in Ghana when he heard a military band performing one of Bob Marley's compositions in Michel Camp; [5] a military barracks where he grew up. [4]
Dawuni started the annual "Independence Splash" festival, which is held in Ghana on Ghanaian Independence Day, March 6. [4]
Dawuni has recorded eight full-length albums. [4] His sixth studio album titled Branches of The Same Tree was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album in December 2015 for the 58th Annual Grammy Awards, [6] released 31 March 2015 making him the first nominee from his home country of Ghana. [7] Songlines Magazine named the Branches of Same Tree album in the top 10 most essential reggae albums of all time. [8]
Inspired by the soulful beats of Fela Kuti and Bob Marley, the album highlighted Dawuni's ability to communicate uplifting messages to the hear of millions. [9]
Beats of Zion, the 2019 album by Rocky, which was released January 25 [10] is a precursor to his 7th studio album which also bears the same title and featured Ghana's dancehall star, [Stonebwoy]. [11] [12] [13] [14] The last video for the albums is "Champion Arise", which was named "Top Tune of the Day" on premier National Public Radio Station KCRW. [15] [16]
In June 2019 Rocky released the new single "Modern Man", remixed by Gaudi. His 8th studio release, Voice of Bunbon, Vol. 1 was nominated during the Grammy Award for Best Global Music Album in the 64th Annual Grammy Awards, making Rocky a multi-Grammy nominee in 2022. Three music videos were released for the EP including "Ghost Town", [17] which was shot by photographer Casey Bridges (son of actor Beau Bridges). The music video "Beautiful People" from the album was shot in Rocky's home village of Bunbon by Ghanaian cinematographer, Slingshot.
Rocky released the music video for Woara (which translates as "you or it's you" in Twi) in September 2021. It was sung in the local Akan dialect, Twi. Woara is a love song with a call and response style to express the beauty and triumph of being in love. [18]
In 2022, Dawuni got his third Grammy nomination, thus the Best Global Music Performance for his work “Neva Bow Down” featuring Blvk H3ro. He has had two previous nominations in 2015 and 2021. [19] [20]
The musician and activist who is known to straddle the boundaries between Africa, the Caribbean and the U.S. to create sounds that unite generations and cultures works to foster global peace. Dawuni has shared the stage with Stevie Wonder, Peter Gabriel, Bono, Jason Mraz, Janelle Monáe and John Legend, among many others. Named one of Africa's Top 10 global stars by CNN. [23]
Dawuni's stature as a cultural diplomat and successful melding of music and activism have led him to become a spokesperson for various global causes. He is a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador for Africa for UN Environment [24] and is a Global Ambassador for the UN Foundation's Clean Cooking Alliance alongside actress Julia Roberts and Chef José Andrés. [25] [26]
Rocky was named the Global Ambassador for the World Day of African and Afrodescendant Culture recognized by UNESCO, through which he uses his music to shine a light on crucial issues facing humanity across the globe.
| Event Name | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Adinkra International Arts & Crafts Festival (GEPA) 2024 | Brand Ambassador, Speaker & Performer | 2024 |
| African Youth Conference, Accra, Ghana | Speaker | 2024 |
| United Nations Environmental Assembly (UNEA), Nairobi, Kenya | Speaker/Performer | 2024 |
| COP28 Dubai, UAE | Speaker & Performer | 2023 |
| Accra Reparations Conference 2023 | Performer | 2023 |
| Swiss Embassy Recycling & Upcycling Event, Accra, Ghana 2023 | Speaker | 2023 |
| Italian Embassy IRENA Action for Climate Event, Accra, Ghana 2023 | Speaker | 2023 |
| AMCEN Conference, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 2023 | Speaker | 2023 |
| World Environment Day, Abidjan, Cote’Ivoire 2023 | Performer / Panelist | 2023 |
| International Concert Against Racism, Salvador Bahia, Brazil 2023 | Performer / Speaker | 2023 |
| Earth Day Beach Clean Up, Ghana 2023 | Speaker | 2023 |
| International Concert Against Racism, Costa Rica 2023 | Speaker / Performer | 2023 |
| UNEP Celebration of World Ocean Day, June 2022 (virtual) | Speaker | 2022 |
| United Nations Environment Assembly, Nairobi, Kenya March 2022 | Speaker / Performer | 2022 |
| Launch of Diaspora Flag for Sixth Region of Africa, Accra, Ghana February 2022 | Speaker | 2022 |
| World Day of African & Afrodescendant Culture, Accra, Ghana January 2022 | Speaker | 2022 |
| COP26, Scotland, UK October 2021 | Ambassador | 2021 |
| Album | Year |
|---|---|
| The Movement | 1996 |
| Crusade | 1998 |
| Awakening | 2001 |
| Book of Changes | 2005 [27] |
| Hymns for the Rebel Soul | 2010 |
| Branches of The Same Tree | 2015 [28] |
| Beats of Zion | 2019 [29] |
| Voice of Bunbon Vol. 1 | 2020 |
 |
| Year | Title | Director | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Walk The Talk | — | [30] |
| 2010 | African Reggae Fever | — | [31] |
| 2010 | Download The Revolution | — | [32] |
| 2015 | Nairobi | — | [33] |
| 2015 | African Thriller | — | [34] |
| 2017 | Shine a Light | — | [35] |
| 2019 | Beats of Zion | — | [36] |
| 2019 | Elevation | — | [37] |
| 2019 | Champion Arise | — | [38] |
| 2022 | Neva Bow Down | Slingshot | [39] |
| 2023 | Shade Tree | Ema Ribeiro | [40] |
| Soundtrack | Movie title | Movie Genre |
|---|---|---|
| Shine a Light [41] | Fist Fight | Comedy |
| Track | TV Program | TV Station |
|---|---|---|
| Wake the Town | ER | NBC |
| Jammin Nation | Weeds | Showtime |
| Jah Be For Us | Weeds (TV series) | Showtime |
| Shashemane | ER | NBC |
| Jah Be For Us | Dexter (TV series) | Showtime |
| Knockin on Heaven's Door | ER | NBC |
| Turn it Up | Animal Kingdom | TNT (U.S. TV network) |
| Burn One | Animal Kingdom | TNT (U.S. TV network) |
| Track | EA Games | Year |
|---|---|---|
| African Thriller | 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil | 2014 |
| Reggae Carnival Style | The Sims 3: Island Paradise | 2013 |
| African Soccer Fever | 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa | 2010 |
| Download the Revolution | FIFA 10 | 2009 |
| The One | The Sims 2: Castaway | 2008 |
| Wake Up the Town ft. Nana Ama x Shee | FIFA 08 | 2007 |
Hiplife is a Ghanaian musical style that fuses Ghanaian culture and hip hop. Recorded predominantly in the Ghanaian Akan language, hiplife is rapidly gaining popularity in the 2010s throughout West Africa and abroad, especially in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada and Germany.
Kojo Antwi, also known as "Mr. Music Man", is a Ghanaian Afro pop, highlife, reggae musical artist and a former Ghamro chairman. Born Julius Kojo Antwi into a family of 13 siblings, he grew up in Darkuman, a suburb of Accra. He has 22 albums to his name, with "Tom & Jerry" being one of his most popular songs in West Africa Ghana.
Charles Nii Armah Mensah Jr., is a Ghanaian reggae-dancehall artist. He is known by his stage name Shatta Wale, formerly Bandana. His best-known singles are "Dancehall King", "My Level" and "Taking Over". He is also known for "Already" from Beyoncé's The Lion King: The Gift, which also featured Major Lazer. His song "Dancehall King" earned him the Artiste of the Year at the 2014 edition of the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards. Wale is also an actor who appeared in the films Never Say Never,The trial of Shatta Wale and Shattered Lives. Wale's 2004 recording "Moko Hoo" was nominated for a Ghana Music Award.
Livingstone Etse Satekla, better known by his stage name Stonebwoy, is a Ghanaian Afropop, Afro-dancehall and reggae musician.
Patrick Nnaemeka Okorie, better known by his stage name Patoranking, is a Nigerian Afrobeats and reggae-dancehall singer and songwriter. Born and raised in Ebute Metta community of Lagos, he grew up sharing one room with his parents and five siblings. His modest upbringing and close relationship with his family instilled a drive and determination to create a better future, and led him to music He started his music career doing underground collaborations, with artists such as XProject, Konga, Slam and Reggie Rockstone. He signed a record deal with K-Solo's Igberaga Records in 2010, releasing "Up in D Club" under the outfit. Patoranking became a protégé of Dem Mama Records after collaborating with Timaya on his song "Alubarika". In February 2014, he signed a record deal with Foston Musik and released "Girlie O", a single that put him in the limelight. On 9 February 2015, Patoranking announced on Instagram that he signed a distribution deal with VP Records. on September 28 Patoranking released a song titled Abule which he released ahead of his album scheduled to be released later in 2020. He once said, in 2020 that he once got inspiration for song on a football pitch while playing football.
Desmond Kwesi Blackmore, known by his stage name D-Black, is an anglophone hip-hop and Afrobeat musician and entrepreneur from Ghana. He has been described as "a successful entertainment mogul"
Vera Hamenoo-Kpeda, better known by her stage name MzVee, is a Ghanaian singer, afropop, dancehall and R&B artiste. Her debut solo album features several hit singles including 'Borkor Borkor, 'Natural Girl' and 'Dancehall Queen'. MzVee was signed to the record label Lynx Entertainment and was the winner of the New Artiste of the Year award at the 2015 Ghana Music Awards. She parted ways with Lynx Entertainment in the year 2019. She is currently a solo artist.
R2Bees is a Ghanaian hip hop and hiplife duo from Tema, comprising two cousins, Faisal Hakeem and Rashid Mugeez. They were nominated for the 2013 BET Awards. In March 2019, the duo released their third studio album, Site 15.
Mujahid Ahmed Bello known by his stage name Fancy Gadam, is a Ghanaian afropop, dancehall and reggae musician. In 2017, he won Ghana Music Awards for Best New Artist and in 2020, he was named BestAfrobeat Entertainer at the International Reggae and World Music Awards.
Sherif Abdul Majeed, known by his stage name Maccasio, is a Ghanaian Hip hop, Hiplife, and Afropop recording Artist and Entrepreneur. He is from the Kingdom of Dagbon, in the Northern Region of Ghana. Maccasio raps and sings in his native language Dagbani with the ability to mix it with terms in English and Twi. He has performed on stages with artists such as Davido, Shatta Wale, Samini, Stonebwoy, Medikal and VVIP.
DopeNation is a Ghanaian musical duo of identical twin brothers, composed of Micheal Boafo popularly known as B2, and Tony Boafo known as Twist. They are best known for producing hit songs such as Kpuu Kpaa by Shatta wale, Wow by Joey B ft EL, Sebgefia by Joey B and EL, Poison by Ebony Reigns, Forever by Eazzy ft Mr Eazi, Nana Ama by Pappy Kojo, among others and chunning out hits for themselves as Artists.
Eugene Kwame Marfo, who goes by the stage name Kuami Eugene is a Ghanaian Hghlife, High-life and Afrobeat singer-songwriter. He is signed to Lynx Entertainment and Empire Distribution and is known for several songs, including "Angela", "Wish Me Well", "Ohemaa", "Wa Ye Wie" and many others. He won the Unsung and New Artist awards in 2017 and 2018 from the Ghana Music Awards respectively, and the Ghana Music Awards UK. He also received the Most Promising Artist in Africa award from AFRIMA / LYNXGHANA. In 2019, Kwame Eugene received 7 nominations at the Ghana Music Awards and went on to win the awards for Album of the Year, Producer of the Year, and Highlife Artist of the Year. He was crowned Artist of the Year and High-life Artist of the Year at the 2020 Ghana Music Awards.
Oral Kwame Ofori, professionally known as Oral Ofori, is a Ghanaian-American award-winning digital media producer and blogger, freelance journalist, entrepreneur, and writer. Born in Tema, he is also the founder of the US-based communication consultancy TheAfricanDream LLC. In February 2018 Ofori took on a language interpretation job as a level II interpreter of the Twi and Ga language with the Fairfax County Public Schools system. In December 2021 Mr. Ofori started work with the Embassy of Ghana, Washington, D.C. as Head of the Customer Relations Office under Ambassador Alima Mahama. In February 2024 Mr Ofori's firm TheAfricanDream LLC partnered the Washington DC government in the United States to provide media for the event dubbed Africa on the Avenue to support local businesses.
Musah Haruna is a Ghanaian Afrobeat and Reggae musician, known by his stagename Friction. Friction is the founder and former leader of the legendary Ghanaian Hiplife Music Group VIP. This group has become one of Ghana's most well known Hiplife music groups, and subject of documentaries such as HomeGrown: Hiplife in Ghana and the book The Hiplife in Ghana: West African Indigenization of Hip-Hop. Friction released two albums with VIP, 'Ye De Aba' and 'Bibi Baa O', and Friction and his group became a nationwide phenomenon. In the year 2000 Friction featured in Ghana's national HIV Campaign song 'Stop AIDS, Love Life' among other Ghanaian music stars such as Reggie Rockstone and Black Prophet.
Albert McCarthy Boateng, professionally known as Awaga, is a Ghanaian record producer, sound engineer and disc jockey.
Ama Serwah Genfi, formerly known as Petrah and currently known professionally as Amaarae, is an American-Ghanaian singer-songwriter. She is known for her fusion of pop, R&B, afrobeats, and alté, as well as her fluid representation of gender and sexuality. After collaborating with local artists and putting out a few non-album singles, she released her debut EP, Passionfruit Summers, in 2017.
The 3 Music Award is Ghanaian music awards ceremony held annually since 2018 to celebrate Ghanaian music. It was established by the 3Music Network with Media General TV3 as broadcasters. The Multimedia group became the media right holder in the second and subsequent edition. In 2020, the Fan fest which was scheduled to take place at the Accra Polo Grounds was cancelled and a Virtual award ceremony was held from the Fantasy Dome, Trade Fair La. This was because of the ban on public gathering due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Derrick Sarfo Kantanka,, best known as Amerado, is a Ghanaian rapper from Kumasi. He is the curator of Yeete Nsem, Ghana's first news casting rap series.
Ahmmed Kanneh Larweh, popularly known as Sparqlyn, is a Ghanaian Afrobeats musician and songwriter. He was a member of the defunct hiplife group, Dunsin. In January 2023, he was enstooled as the development chief of Krobo Odumase in the Eastern Region Of Ghana.
