Rocky Dawuni facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rocky Dawuni
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Rocky Dawuni
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Ghana |
| Occupation(s) | Musician and Activist |
Rocky Dawuni is a talented singer, songwriter, and music producer from Ghana. He is famous for his special "Afro Roots" music style. This sound mixes different types of music like Reggae, Afrobeats, Highlife, and Soul. Rocky Dawuni has been nominated for a Grammy Award four times! He splits his time living between Ghana and the United States. Besides making music, Rocky is also an important activist.
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Rocky's Music Journey
Rocky Dawuni first discovered Reggae music in Ghana. He heard a military band playing a song by the famous artist Bob Marley in a place called Michel Camp, which was a military base where Rocky grew up.
Rocky started a yearly music event called "Independence Splash" in Ghana. This festival happens every year on Ghana's Independence Day, which is March 6.
Albums and Grammy Nominations
Rocky Dawuni has released eight full-length music albums. His sixth album, called Branches of The Same Tree, was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album in 2015. This was a big deal because it made him the first person from Ghana to be nominated for a Grammy! A magazine called Songlines even said this album was one of the top 10 most important reggae albums ever.
His music is inspired by soulful artists like Fela Kuti and Bob Marley. His songs often share positive and uplifting messages with people all over the world.
In 2019, Rocky released an album called Beats of Zion. This album included a song with Ghana's dancehall star, Stonebwoy. One of the music videos from this album, "Champion Arise," was even named "Top Tune of the Day" by a popular radio station, KCRW.
Later in 2019, Rocky released a new song called "Modern Man," which was remixed by Gaudi.
His eighth album, Voice of Bunbon, Vol. 1, was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Global Music Album in 2022. This made Rocky a multi-Grammy nominee! Three music videos were made for this album. One was "Ghost Town," filmed by photographer Casey Bridges. Another video, "Beautiful People," was filmed in Rocky's home village of Bunbon by a Ghanaian filmmaker named Slingshot.
In September 2021, Rocky released a music video for his song Woara. This song means "you" or "it's you" in the local Akan language, Twi. Woara is a love song that uses a call-and-response style to show the joy of being in love.
In 2022, Rocky Dawuni received his third Grammy nomination for "Neva Bow Down," a song featuring Blvk H3ro. He had been nominated twice before, in 2015 and 2021. In 2024, he released a new song called 'Rise'.
Rocky's Activism and Global Work
Rocky Dawuni is known for connecting people and cultures through his music. He works to promote peace around the world. He has performed on stage with many famous artists like Stevie Wonder, Peter Gabriel, Bono, Jason Mraz, Janelle Monáe, and John Legend. CNN even named him one of Africa's Top 10 global stars!
Rocky is a great example of how music and activism can work together. He is a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador for Africa for UN Environment. He is also a Global Ambassador for the UN Foundation's Clean Cooking Alliance, working alongside actress Julia Roberts and Chef José Andrés.
Rocky was also named the Global Ambassador for the World Day of African and Afrodescendant Culture by UNESCO. Through this role, he uses his music to highlight important issues facing people across the globe.
Events and Roles
Rocky Dawuni often speaks and performs at important global events. Here are some of the places he has been involved:
| Event Name | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Adinkra International Arts & Crafts Festival (GEPA) | 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 | Performer | 2023 |
| World Environment Day, Abidjan, Cote’Ivoire | Performer / Panelist | 2023 |
| International Concert Against Racism, Salvador Bahia, Brazil | Performer / Speaker | 2023 |
| Earth Day Beach Clean Up, Ghana | Speaker | 2023 |
| International Concert Against Racism, Costa Rica | Speaker / Performer | 2023 |
| UNEP Celebration of World Ocean Day (virtual) | Speaker | 2022 |
| United Nations Environment Assembly, Nairobi, Kenya | Speaker / Performer | 2022 |
| World Day of African & Afrodescendant Culture, Accra, Ghana | Speaker | 2022 |
| COP26, Scotland, UK | Ambassador | 2021 |
Rocky's Music in Movies, TV, and Games
Rocky Dawuni's music has been featured in many popular movies, TV shows, and even video games!
Music in Movies
His song "Shine a Light" was part of the movie soundtrack for the Comedy film Fist Fight.
Music in TV Shows
You might have heard his songs on these TV programs:
- "Wake the Town" and "Shashemane" were on ER (NBC).
- "Jammin Nation," "Jah Be For Us," and "Jah Be For Us" were on Weeds and Dexter (TV series) (Showtime).
- "Knockin on Heaven's Door" was also on ER (NBC).
- "Turn it Up" and "Burn One" were on Animal Kingdom (TNT).
Music in Video Games
Rocky's music has also been included in several EA Games video games:
- "African Thriller" was in 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil (2014).
- "Reggae Carnival Style" was in The Sims 3: Island Paradise (2013).
- "African Soccer Fever" was in 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa (2010).
- "Download the Revolution" was in FIFA 10 (2009).
- "The One" was in The Sims 2: Castaway (2008).
- "Wake Up the Town" (featuring Nana Ama x Shee) was in FIFA 08 (2007).
Images for kids
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Rocky Dawuni
