Rocky Dawuni
Rocky Dawuni is a Ghanaian singer, songwriter and record producer who performs his signature ‘Afro Roots’ sound which is a mixture of Reggae, Afrobeat, Highlife and Soul music. He currently lives between Ghana and Los Angeles.
Dawuni got acquainted with Reggae in Ghana when he heard a military band performing one of Bob Marley’s compositions in Michel Camp; a military barracks where he grew up. Dawuni started the annual “Independence Splash” festival, which is held in Ghana on Ghanaian Independence Day, March 6.
Dawuni has recorded seven full-length albums. 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, released 31 March 2015 making him the first nominee from his home country of Ghana. Beats of Zion, the 2019 single of Rocky which was released January 25 is a precursor to his 7th studio album which also bears the same title. In June 2019 Rocky released the new single “Modern Man”, remixed by Gaudi.
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.
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 and is a Global Ambassador for the UN Foundation’s Clean Cooking Alliance alongside actress Julia Roberts and Chef José Andrés.
