Rocky Dawuni is a Ghanaian musician and activist who lives between Ghana and the United States.
While growing up in Michel Camp, a military barracks, Dawuni first heard reggae in Ghana when he heard a military band playing one of Bob Marley’s songs.
The annual “Independence Splash” festival was initiated by Dawuni and is celebrated on March 6th, Ghanaian Independence Day. He’s put out eight full-length albums.
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His sixth studio album, Branches of the Same Tree, was the first Ghanaian nominee for a Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards, which were held on March 31, 2015.
The Branches of Same Tree album was listed as one of the top ten most important reggae albums of all time by Songlines Magazine.
Inspired by the soulful beats of Bob Marley and Fela Kuti, the album showcased Dawuni’s ability to reach millions of people with positive messages.
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Rocky’s 2019 album Beats of Zion, which was published on January 25, is a prelude to his seventh studio album of the same name, which also featured Ghanaian dancehall artist Stonebwoy.
In 2022, Rocky was nominated for another Grammy Awards when his eighth studio album, Voice of Bunbon, Vol. 1, received a nomination for Best Global Music Album at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards.
When Dawuni received his third Grammy nomination in 2022, he was nominated for Best Global Music Performance for his song “Neva Bow Down,” which featured Blvk H3ro.
This year, he was the only Ghanaian artiste nominated for the 67th GRAMMY Awards in the Best Global Music Performance for his song “Rise.”
He has since reacted to the nomination on social media, saying: “This one is for Ghana!!” I am honoured to announce the Grammy nomination for my new single ‘Rise’ for Best Global Music Performance.”
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He faces competition from Angélique Kidjo & Soweto Gospel Choir, Arooj Aftab, Jacob Collier featuring Anoushka Shankar & Varijashree Venugopal, Masa Takumi with Ron Korb, Noshir Mody & Dale Edward Chung, and Sheila E. featuring Gloria Estefan & Mimy Succar.
