BIOGRAPHY

Rocky Dawuni is a three-time GRAMMY nominated singer, songwriter, producer and activist whose unique “Afro Roots” sound straddles the boundaries between Africa, the Caribbean and the U.S. Rocky is a UN Goodwill Ambassador for the Environment for Africa, a UN Foundation Ambassador for the Clean Cooking Alliance as well as a Global Ambassador the World Day of African and Afrodescendant Culture working on cultural diplomacy. Through these and other designations he uses his music to shine a light on crucial issues facing humanity cross the globe with live concerts, speaking roles, panels, youth empowerment and much more. With 8 solo albums under his name, Rocky’s music is a refreshing and powerful message about global unity and a worldview of oneness.

Mini Bio + -

Three-time GRAMMY nominated musician and activist, Rocky Dawuni, straddles the boundaries between Africa, the Caribbean and the U.S. to create his appealing Afro Roots sound that unites generations and cultures. A galvanizing performer, Dawuni has shared the stage with luminaries including Stevie Wonder, Ozomatli, Sauti Sol, Janelle Monae and John Legend, among many others. Named one of Africa's Top 10 global stars by CNN, he has showcased his talent at prestigious venues such as The Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center and The Hollywood Bowl.  Rocky is a UN Goodwill Ambassador for the Environment for Africa, a UN Foundation Ambassador for the Clean Cooking Alliance and an Ambassador of Born Free USA. Rocky was just named the Global Ambassador 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 cross 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 his 7th album entitled "Beats of Zionin 2019 with its striking accompanying video shot in Jamestown, Accra (Ghanathrough Six Degrees Distribution. Rocky also released videos for “Wickedest Sound” featuring Ghanaian dancehall star, Stonebwoy and the gorgeous “Elevation” shot in India.  Another track from the album “Let’s Go” was the theme song for Cadbury Canada’s Bicycle Factory Campaign and the beautiful 360 degree video from the song reached over 1 million views on You Tube.  “Burn One” and “Turn It Up” tracks were both been licensed by the TNT hit TV surf culture drama “Animal Kingdom.” The last video for the album is the upbeat positive Reggae track Champion Arise which deeply resonates across the globe during this difficult time. The song was named “Top Tune of the Day” on premier National Public Radio station KCRW where he also did a fabulous live recording from Accra with his full band for their “In Residence” series.  

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  beautiful 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.” The most recent video for the classic Palmwine Highlife song “Woara” which means “you or it’s you” is sung in the local Akan dialect of Twi. It is a love song that uses its call and response style to express the beauty and triumph of being in love.

Rocky recently released a new single entitled "Neva Bow Down" featuring Blvk H3ro from Jamaica and produced by Bob Riddim from Canada. The single has already been nominated for "Best Global Music Performance" for the 2023 GRAMMY Awards!

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.  

Long Bio + -

International music star and activist Rocky Dawuni straddles the boundaries between Africa, the Caribbean and the U.S. to create an appealing sound that unites generations and cultures. With an easy-going charisma and reputation as a dedicated champion of social causes, Dawuni’s infectious grooves and dance-inducing anthems have consistently excited fans across the globe. A galvanizing performer, Dawuni has shared the stage with Stevie WonderPeter GabrielBonoJason MrazJanelle Monae and John Legend, among many others. Named one of Africa’s Top 10 global stars by CNN, he has showcased his talent at prestigious venues such as The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and The Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.

 

Dawuni began his life as the child of a cook on a military barracks in Ghana. His father’s innate intelligence and charm helped him quickly rise in his position to become the cook for the base’s colonels and generals. During this time, his father – Koytau Dawuni, befriended many high-ranking officers and observed the deep pride they felt in sending their children to school.

Dawuni’s father began to raise his own children with the same standards, investing heavily in education. The second born of eight siblings, Dawuni excelled at school and eventually his father decided to move him back to their home village where he could learn more about his cultural heritage. As it turned out, Koyatu’s humble employment belied his status as a member of the royal family of the Konkomba tribe, which ruled from a village called Bunbon Nayili in Northern Ghana. After retiring from the military, Koyatu returned to his native village to serve as the Chief, a role currently held by Dawuni’s older brother, Chief Wumbe Dawuni.

Despite the isolation of the village and barracks life, Dawuni was exposed to the music of other cultures after his father was posted to Egypt with the United Nations forces. The multi-ethnic mix of Ghanaian tribes in the barracks also revealed to Dawuni the diversity of expressions found in his own country. “I was always looking for music,” Dawuni remembers, “Whenever bands played, I would gravitate towards that. There was a band in the barracks called Hot Barrels, and I remember that every time they had rehearsal I would chill at their space and just listen to them play.”

Throughout Dawuni’s childhood music was always at the forefront of his passions. Dawuni’s youth coincided with an era of political turmoil and frequent military coups in Ghana, and music provided the soundtrack for this tumultuous era. After moving to the capital city Accra to pursue a degree in philosophy and psychology at the University of Ghana, Rocky’s spent hours mining his friend’s record collections, discovering the Afrobeat of Fela Kuti from Nigeria, the African soul of Osibisa, as well as highlife groups such as the African Brothers, not to mention Jamaican reggae and American funk and soul. Through these inspirations and his own experiences he began to gravitate towards any music that articulated a message of unity and hope.

While at University he formed his first band, Local Crisis, with a group of friends. They had no real instruments except an acoustic guitar played by the bassist. The drummer created a kit out of cardboard and the keyboardist used a toy keyboard. Dawuni sang and performed his own original songs. They made their first demo by simply singing directly into a tape recorder. “It was the most low-tech thing you can imagine,” recalls Dawuni, “but there was just the fire and determination and we believed in what we were doing.” Despite the lack of instruments and professional recording equipment, their music gained immediate success on campus. They decided to try to perform at a large Pan African event taking place in Accra, but with no prior knowledge about how to book concerts, the band just showed up at the promoter’s office on the day of the event. The promoter, intrigued by this group of passionate yet clearly inexperienced student musicians, decided to let them play once the main concert was over. As spectators started filing out of the venue, Local Crisis picked up the instruments on stage, unsure of how to use such advanced equipment, and began to play their music with heart and soul. The audience eagerly returned back to the stage, the band was a hit, and Dawuni’s musical career took off.

It was during this time Dawuni met his eventual life partner and manager Cary Sullivan, a photographer and producer from Los Angeles. Dawuni wished to grow musically and to make art that could spread beyond the borders of Ghana. He felt he needed to travel and gain experience about other cultures first hand. He joined Sullivan in Los Angeles, although he continued to live part time in Ghana.

In 1996 he produced his first album, “The Movement,” backed by members of Local Crisis and other Ghanaian reggae stars. “The Movement” became a major success in Ghana with a number of hit singles including “What Goes Around” and “Sugar.” But Dawuni continued to believe that his music could serve as a bridge between Africa and the rest of the world. His first international exposure came through the 1998 Putumayo collection “Reggae Around the World,” which featured his song “In Ghana,” alongside tracks by Lucky Dube, Burning Spear, Ernest Ranglin and others. In 2010, Dawuni contributed a cover of Bob Marley’s “Sun Is Shining” to the Putumayo album “Tribute to a Reggae Legend.” In 1998, Dawuni released his second album “Crusade,” followed by “Awakening” in 2001, “Book of Changes” in 2005 and “Hymns for the Rebel Soul” in 2010. Each album brought him greater acclaim and wider recognition both in Ghana and abroad. Today, Dawuni is a household name in his native land, and widely considered one of Africa’s most recognized international stars.

Dawuni’s music has been featured in numerous television programs, including ER, Weeds and Dexter. In 2010, Dawuni’s song “African Soccer Fever” was included on the FIFA World Cup South Africa video game from EA Sports, one of many times Dawuni’s songs have been included in EA video games. Dawuni’s cover of John Lennon’s “Well Well Well” appeared on the digital bonus version of the Amnesty International benefit album “Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur” which was released by Warner Brothers in 2007 and featured appearances by U2, R.E.M., Aerosmith featuring Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars, Black Eyed Peas and others. Dawuni has also participated in the 2009 Playing for Change album, singing along with Bono on “War/No More Trouble” and Keb Mo’ on “Biko.”

In 2003, Dawuni teamed up with Sullivan and KCRW DJ Jeremy Sole to create Afro Funke’, a regular musical event in Los Angeles dedicated to African music, culture and art and it’s far-reaching legacy around the world. Afro Funke’ presents international guest DJs, live performances, guest musicians, dancers, cutting-edge films, record release parties, fundraisers, fashion shows, art installations, crafts and more. It has built a dedicated following, attracting celebrities such as Prince, India Arie, Queen Latifah and Stevie Wonder.

Rocky’s performances include appearing in front of 18,000 people in Toronto, Canada alongside Somalian superstar K’Naan and at the Freedom Awards in Los Angeles with pop sensation Jason Mraz. He has performed at the prestigious Hollywood Bowl with the legendary Stevie Wonder during a night of “Global Soul” and appeared at France’s Les Estivales de la Perriere with Shaggy, Monty Alexander and Diana King where they joined together on a magical rendition of Bob Marley’s “No Woman, No Cry.” Rocky has headlined the Balispirit Festival in Bali, Indonesia twice and received a glowing feature in Rolling Stone Indonesia. He has appeared at Switzerland’s renowned Montreaux Jazz Festival, Woodstock Poland, Colours Festival and many more. Rocky continues to tour the world and has increasingly been performing extensively in India, Africa, Europe, Australia and beyond as both a celebrated musician and activist.

Dawuni’s eloquence, cultural diplomacy and successful melding of music and activism have led him to become a passionate spokesperson for various global causes. He has joined forces with Product (RED), UNICEF, the Carter Center, and the UN Foundation. He has worked on campaigns focused on Guinea worm eradication, environmental issues, women’s health and education, HIV Aids advocacy, peace building and clean water. In 2012, Dawuni was appointed the Tourism and Cultural Ambassador of Ghana and World Ambassador for the Musicians Union of Ghana. The same year, he was named a United Nations Foundation Ambassador for the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves, an initiative launched by Hillary Clinton, alongside actress Julia Roberts and chef José Andrés. In 2013, Rocky performed at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (UNFCC) in Warsaw, Poland in front of the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon and delegates from around the world. He also has served on a Brookings Institute think tank on cultural diplomacy (Timbuktu Action Group) as part of the efforts to restore Mali’s famed Festival Au Desert and was invited by Aegis Trust and the Kigali Genocide Memorial Center to Rwanda to meet the Minister of Youth and Culture and visit the Gihembe refugee camp in order to highlight Rwanda’s shinning efforts to heal the wounds of the past. Rocky was designated a UN Goodwill Ambassador for Africa at a beautiful concert and designation event at the UN Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya in August 2018 held during the Global Landscapes Forum with dignitaries from all over the world. Since that time he has been heavily involved in environmental activism around the world through live performances, speaking, panels and more.

Dawuni’s sixth album, “Branches of the Same Tree,” was released worldwide on March 31st, 2015 by the Cumbancha record label and was subsequently nominated for a GRAMMY for “Best Reggae Album” at the 58th Annual GRAMMY Awards 2016. “Branches” continues to bring him an even wider international audience. Reflecting his maturity as an artist, the album highlights Dawuni’s ability to communicate a universal, uplifting message that crosses borders and reaches out to the hearts of millions. Branches features the Afro Dancehall mashup “African Thriller”and its striking accompanying video as well as  “Shine A Light”   which is a welcome bit of joy in these troubled times.

On January 25, 2019, Rocky released the first single and title track to his much anticipated 7th studio album entitled Beats of Zion with its striking accompanying video shot in Jamestown, Accra (Ghana). The full album dropped on March 8, 2019 through Six Degrees Distribution with the release of the second video from the album “Wickedest Sound” which features Ghanaian dancehall star Stonebwoy. “Beats of Zion” has been receiving rave reviews from Afropop Worldwide, World Music Central, Medium.com and PopMatters. The track “Burn One” from the new album was named  “Top Tune of the Day” on tastemaker station KCRW and appeared on TNT’s hit TV drama “Animal Kingdom.” Another track from the album “Let’s Go” is the theme song for Cadbury Canada’s Bicycle Factory Campaign 2018 and the beautiful 360 degree video from the song has already reached over 1 million views on YouTube. 

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  beautiful 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.” The most recent video for the classic Palmwine Highlife song “Woara” which means “you or it’s you” is sung in the local Akan dialect of Twi. It is a love song that uses its call and response style to express the beauty and triumph of being in love. 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.

Press releasehttp://pressjunkiepr.com/clients/rocky-dawuni/

Press & Booking
WORLDWIDE:
Cary Sullivan

afrofunke@yahoo.com
Cell: +1.310.663.7227

Contact us for Booking and Speaking Engagements.

Europe:
Walter Laurer

GLP
wlaurer@glp.at

Tel: +43 1 914 86 15

Brazil/Latin America:
Rafael Costa

Riddim Agency
+55 (71) 98805-4840
rafael@riddimagency.com 

Management

Cary Sullivan
afrofunke@yahoo.com

Cell: +1.310.663.7227
P.O. Box 1510
Pacific Palisades, CA 90272

Label (Worldwide)

AQUARIAN Records
aquarianrecords@hotmail.com