"A rising young star…primed to conquer America,”LA Weekly
Ghana’s international music star Rocky Dawuni has leveraged his popularity within and without of the Continent to champion social causes and inspire a generation of artists and fans alike. Dawuni’s eloquence as well as his successful melding of musical celebrity and social action has made him a spokesperson for various causes worldwide. Over the last few years, Rocky’s music and electric live performances have attracted thousands to his concerts. Superstars such as Stevie Wonder and Peter Gabriel have joined him on stage at his shows to tremendous response.
Rocky’s 5th studio album, “Hymns for the Rebel Soul” was pre-released through Whole Foods Market in the United States in late 2009 and which will be officially released on May 25, 2010. The new 11 song album was inspired and written over the course of his travels around the world particularly Israel, Finland, Jamaica, U.S. and Ghana in his quest to articulate and craft a record that reflected the common spiritual, political and social aspirations of ordinary folks around the world. With the songs written, the main tracking and recording took place in Los Angeles during the transformative period of the 2008 U.S. presidential election and concluded on inauguration day. Rocky sees this album as a musical exploration in global consciousness.
Video Game Giant EA (Electronic Arts) has licensed the first track off the album “Download the Revolution” from their FIFA Soccer 2010 video game which has sold millions of copies already. "Download" is now available on ITunes @ http://itunes.apple.com/album/download-the-revolution/id340328400 EA has also licensed “African Reggae Fever” for their forthcoming FIFA World Cup 2010 video game which will be released in May 2010. (Two tracks from his previous recording Book of Changes were also featured on EA’s FIFA 2008 and Simms video games.)
In the US, Dawuni’s progressive fusion of Reggae, Soul and traditional African sounds, have been making steady inroads in the entertainment industry. He can be seen/heard alongside Bono from U2 in the video and song remake of “War /No more Trouble” for the highly successful “Playing for Change: Songs Around the World” album which was released by Concord Music in April 2009 and has sold over 300,000 copies. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgWFxFg7-GU
Rocky has received extensive airplay on flagship stations like KCRW as well as prominent exposure on hit TV shows like Weeds, ER and Dexter. Rocky recently signed a co-publishing and administration deal with Lionsgate Music which should insure even more exposure for his music worldwide through film, television and commercials. His voice can also be heard on the theme song for “The Goode Family” on primetime ABC Television. Rocky’s rendition of John Lennon’s “Well Well Well” was featured on the highly successful Deluxe edition of Instant Karma: Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur. The Warner Brothers release featured global stars including Black Eyed Peas, Jack Johnson, Christina Aguillera, U2 and more. Rocky Dawuni will be featured with other global stars on the upcoming “A Tribute to a Legend” (Bob Marley) with his rendition of “Sun is Shining” which will be released by Putumayo Records in Summer 2010.
Dawuni is creator and headliner of his annual music festival “Rocky Dawuni Independence Splash” held every March 6th in his native Ghana which is produced by his NGO Africa Live! The annual event in Ghana attracts upwards of 30,000 people every year and has become the rallying point for his extensive humanitarian and advocacy work on clean water, HIV AIDS, poverty eradication and girl child education issues. Dawuni has made several extensive trips throughout Northern Ghana in conjunction with UNICEF & the Carter Center, helping to shed light on the acute water / sanitation problems and helping to spur practical and sustainable solutions reflective of his ongoing quest to use music as a tool for social development. Rocky has served as a personality for Product (RED) led by U2’s front man Bono and Bobby Shriver supporting The Global Fund’s initiatives on HIV/ AIDs in Africa.
Rocky is also the brainchild of Los Angeles’ world renown Thursday night club, Afro Funke’, which has been the premier African based night in Los Angeles for almost 7 years. Afro Funke’ is frequented by an extremely diverse clientele of all ethnicities and ages who are drawn to the incredible music and ambiance of the night. His presence there also draws a cross section of celebrities who enjoy soaking in the vibes with him including Prince, India.Arie, Stevie Wonder, Reverend Michael Beckwith (The Secret) and many more.
In the touring front, 2009 saw Rocky perform in Bali, Indonesia where he headlined the Balispirit Festival for his first appearances in SE Asia. He went on to headline the Fowler Museum at UCLA for a semi-acoustic set for the “Afro Funke’ Night @ the Fowler.” Rocky Dawuni & the Revelation Project were invited to open the Grand Performances Season at California Plaza in Downtown Los Angeles with his full 12 piece band. He invited very special guests South Africa legend Vusi Mahlasela, Grammy award winning Blues musician Keb Mo and Jazz superstar Ronnie Laws to join him during this unbelievable performance attended by over 4000 fans! Immediately following this show, Rocky took off for a European tour of Germany and Austria to tremendous response. Rocky just completed two shows presented by Afro Funke’ & PUMA for the “African Soccer Fever” events he created in Los Angeles Thursday, December 3rd at Afro Funke’ (Zanzibar) and San Francisco Friday, December 4th at The Elbo Room to AMAZING response!
2010 began with Rocky headlining the “Journey of the Spirit Festival” (Sponsored by the Vatican) on January 17, 2010 in Rome, Italy which was an unprecedented success. Rocky then headed to Ghana to launch “Hymns for the Rebel Soul” in his homeland with radio and press tour throughout the regions and a huge album launch at Citizen Kofi in late March 2010. Ghana officially has “African Reggae Fever!!” He will next head to Europe for the summer 2010 festival season and then return to Ghana for "Rocky Dawuni's Independence Splash 2010 on September 25, 2010 in Accra, Ghana!
What’s up next for Africa’s Shining Star Rocky Dawuni? Stay tuned…
glad to have you as my friend thank for joining me and my friend love your music it sound wounderful so keep up the grate work and keep in tuch have wounderful weekend
In a spirit free from economical calculations and political power
games, find the inspiration, the vision and the strength to meet life in
a creative sustaining way
blessed love,very nice 2 be friends.just wishing you a tranquil and relaxing weekand spreading the message of love.keep up the brilliant work,cause it is truly needed .feel free 2 post comments on tracks or any events that are coming up.remember perseverence is the key of sucess,so keep striving and the most high will do the rest.This year lets promote the positive and demote the negative,cause bad can't beat good.1 luv.-the hemphisphere (the hemp is here)
Thanks for being a friend May your life be full of love, light and
fun... MUSIC is the WEAPON - Beats4Change
- an encouragement to
be the change you want to see in the world
JUST STOPPIN BY TO SHOW YOURE PAGE SOME MAD LOVE!! KEEP YOUR HEAD UP,KEEP SHININ,AND KEEP REACHIN FOR THE STARS BECAUSE YOU MIGHT JUST GRAB THE MOON!!!LUV TARAH MOORE!!!
Hi! First I really think your music is great, really touchy and then the fact that your in this "Playing for Change" project it is a very nice thing to do, because as we saw, music can change history and make ppl live together. Great job!
