Three-time GRAMMY nominated musician and activist, Rocky Dawuni, straddles the boundaries between Africa, the Caribbean and the U.S. to create his Afro Roots sound that unites generations and cultures.
Rocky is a UN Goodwill Ambassador for the Environment for Africa, a UN Foundation Ambassador for the Clean Cooking Alliance, an Ambassador of Born Free USA and for the World Day of African and Afrodescendant Culture which is a globally recognized by UNESCO. Through these and other designations he uses his music to shine a light on crucial issues facing humanity across the globe through live concerts, speaking roles, panels, youth empowerment and more.
Influenced by the soulful beats of Fela Kuti and the positive messages of Bob Marley – Rocky Dawuni’s infectious, sing-along sixth album, Branches of the Same Tree, (Cumbancha) was nominated for a GRAMMY for “Best Reggae Album” (2016) featuring the Afro Dancehall mashup video “African Thriller.” Branches highlights Dawuni’s ability to communicate a universal, uplifting message that crosses borders and reaches out to the hearts of millions. The influential “Songlines Magazine named the album one of the “Top 10 Most Essential Reggae Albums of All Time!”
Rocky released a Ghana focused EP “Voice of Bunbon, Vol. 1” which was nominated for “Best Global Music Album” for the 2022 GRAMMY Awards. Three videos were released for the EP including “Ghost Town” shot in Los Angeles, CA by photographer Casey Bridges (son of legendary actor Beau Bridges) which is a poignant tribute to 2020 as well as “Beautiful People” which was shot by rising Ghanaian cinematographer Slinghot in Rocky’s home village of Bunbon, Ghana which explores how “a deep sense of appreciation and gratitude can shift our gaze to recognizing our personal and communal power.” In a time when divisive rhetoric on the rise and the political climate prefers to build walls over bridges, Rocky’s music is a refreshing message about global unity and a worldview of oneness.
Rocky released “Neva Bow Down” featuring Blvk H3ro in late 2022 which was nominated for a GRAMMY for “Best Global Music Performance.” In spring of 2023, Rocky collaborated with world renown Jamaican Reggae group, Morgan Heritage on their smoking track “Afreeca the Future” also featuring Lord Alhajiam of Daara J fame from Senegal.
Rocky has now released his brand new single “Rise” through AQUARIAN Records accompanied by a video filmed by renowned Ghanaian twin photographers Twinsdntbeg. “Rise” was shot at the original Tuff Gong Africa studios in Ghana (built by Rita Marley in honor of Bob Marley) which Rocky has now taken over and is rebuilding into a global cultural incubator, recording studio and youth complex currently dubbed The Sankofa Center.
Rocky was nominated for yet another GRAMMY for ‘Rise’, sharing “‘Rise’ is a song that speaks to the consciousness that is so needed in this time. I am thrilled for the global attention that this nomination has brought to this first single from my forthcoming album.” Africa is truly rising.
Listen to ‘Rise’ here
Press release courtesy of AQUARIAN Records
