Rocky Dawuni

Two of Africa’s foremost international Reggae stars, Ghana’s Rocky Dawuni and Cote D'Ivoire’s
Alpha Blondy, will be sharing the stage for the first time at the upcoming Africa Festival Munster
to be held at Skaters Palace in Munster, Germany on June 23rd, 2012. Dawuni comes off a stellar
year in which his unique fusion of Reggae and Afrobeat won him the “Best African Artist 2011”
at the International Reggae and World Music Awards, a feature on CNN’s African Voices
as well as being named one of CNN’s Top 10 African Artists on the global stage.

Ivorian star Alpha Blondy has been one of the earliest pioneers of African Reggae, having
played for thousands all over the world. His landmark album “Jerusalem” is still considered
one of the finest Reggae albums ever recorded. Blondy has been a major force in African Reggae's
global appeal alongside South Africa’s Lucky Dube and the new generation led by artists like
Dawuni. This promises to be the ultimate African Roots Reggae party!!!

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, his music and electric live performances have attracted thousands to his concerts.
Rocky’s upcoming new album, “Afro Roots,” fully captures his unique fusion of Afro Beat
and Reggae, while confirming him as an artist in the tradition of both Fela Kuti and Bob Marley
in utilizing his music to uplift, unify and inspire.

- Afrika Festival Muenster 2012

MÜNSTER Reggae-Star Rocky Dawuni ist gerade auch Los Angeles nach Münster gekommen, um am Samstag beim Afrika-Festival im Skaters Palace zu spielen. Und was bewegt den Musiker? „Griechenland und die europäische Krise.“ Rocky Dawuni wird der »Bob Marley von Ghana« genannt. Münsters Historie fasziniert ihn - bis Samstag kann man dem Musiker in der Innenstadt auf Entdeckungstour begegnen. (Foto: Manuel Jennen)

Nimmt man etwa in L.A. vom Ringen um den Euro Notiz? „Oh ja“, sagt Dawuni, „das ist ein soziales Experiment vor den Augen der ganzen Welt“. Europa befinde sich in einer Phase des politischen Übergangs, und das sei für ihn als Afrikaner aus Ghana unglaublich spannend.

„Die Europäer merken jetzt, dass sie von einander abhängen, das alles mit allem verbunden ist. Ich bin Optimist und glaube, dass Europa es schaffen wird, auch wenn die Lage gerade sehr schwierig ist. Ich hoffe, dass die Europäer nun enger zusammenrücken, dass sie merken wie wertvoll ihre Reisefreiheit und ihre kulturellen Verbindungen sind. Auch uns Musikern machen diese Errungenschaften das Leben viel leichter.“

Und Rocky Dawuni hofft, dass Afrika davon lernt. Sein Heimatland Ghana sieht er dabei als wichtigen Hort der Stabilität: „So viele Länder sind beim Übergang von der Militärdiktatur zur Demokratie auseinander geflogen, aber Ghana nicht.“

Zusammenarbeit und Harmonie

Zusammenarbeit, Harmonie, Völkerverständigung – das sind auch die Anliegen seiner Musik. Und er hat ein künstlerisches Ziel: „Ich will den Reggae wieder mit seinen afrikanischen Wurzeln vereinen. Reggae war die Musik afrikanischer Sklaven, die ihn nach Jamaika gebracht haben. Heute ist er rhythmisch oft sehr simpel und seine Harmonien bestehen nur aus zwei Akkorden. Wenn Reggae relevant bleiben soll, muss er wieder anspruchsvoller werden, polyrhythmische Elemente aufnehmen. Das versuche ich.“

Besonders aufgeregt ist der 43-Jährige, weil er im Skaters Palace mit einer weiteren westafrikanischen Reggae-Legende auftritt: Alpha Blondy aus Côte d’Ivoire. „Ich bin als Jugendlicher mit seiner Musik aufgewachsen, er ist ein großes Vorbild. Dass wir jetzt in Münster erstmals gemeinsam auf der Bühne stehen, ist ein historischer Moment“, sagt Dawuni und lacht stolz.


Picasso, der Kommunist

Während des Gesprächs wandert sein Blick aus dem Fenster, auf die Theaterruine und die Kirchtürme der Stadt. „Ich versuche immer, die Kultur eines Ortes aufzunehmen“, sagt er. Dass Münster der Schauplatz des Westfälischen Friedens war, begeistert ihn ebenso wie die aktuelle Ausstellung über Picasso als Kommunist. „Wow, er war Kommunist? Ich mag Picasso, er hat so viel für das internationale Zusammenwachsen der Kunst getan, aber ich habe ihn eher für einen unpolitischen Maler gehalten. Erstaunlich, woran sein Herz wirklich hing, wenn er nicht den Kunstmarkt bedienen musste. Das schaue ich mir an!“

Und die Westfalen sollten sich auf jeden Fall Rocky Dawuni anschauen – es gibt noch Karten für das spannende Konzert.
- Münster Press

New York (September 27, 2012) – The Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves celebrated its two-year anniversary Monday with a host of announcements that combined are instrumental toward accomplishing its mission to create a global market for clean, safe, and efficient cooking technologies.

Ghanaian international music star and creative activist, Rocky Dawuni, was named the newest member of the Alliance’s Ambassadors, which include Academy Award-winning actor Julia Roberts and Chef Jose Andres.
“As a musician, I know how to use my voice and my heart to connect with people, and when I learned that cooking kills two million people worldwide every year, I knew I had to stand up and speak out to help the Alliance raise awareness,” said Dawuni before a room of hundreds of Alliance partners and other guests. “In my native Ghana, throughout Africa, and around the world, it’s clear that the time for clean cookstoves and fuels is now, and I’m ready to do my part to assist the Alliance in reaching its goal.”
In introducing Dawuni, Alliance Executive Director Radha Muthiah noted his lifetime pursuits of social justice and gender equality made him a true asset as an Alliance Ambassador.
At the event, world leaders from civil society, the private sector, and the philanthropic community as well as research pioneers and government representatives came together during the UN General Assembly to discuss the multiple facets of the household air pollution issue, which impacts three billion people daily, and to make major new announcements on behalf of the Alliance, its partners, and the sector.
The Alliance also released its second year report, which details progress in the areas of market development, research, outreach, standards and testing, and more since it’s launch by US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton at The Clinton Global Initiative in 2010.
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The Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves is a public-private partnership led by the United Nations Foundation to save lives, improve livelihoods, empower women, and combat climate change by creating a thriving global market for clean and efficient household cooking solutions. The Alliance’s 100 by ‘20 goal calls for 100 million households to adopt clean and efficient cookstoves and fuels by 2020. The Alliance is working with its public, private and non-profit partners to help overcome the market barriers that currently impede the production, deployment, and use of clean cookstoves in developing countries. Rocky 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, his music and electric live performances have attracted thousands to his concerts. Rocky’s upcoming new album, “Afro Roots” fully captures his unique fusion of Afro Beat and Reggae while confirming him as an artist in the tradition of both Fela Kuti and Bob Marley in utilizing his music to uplift, unify and inspire. - The Alliance

“His influence has been widespread, working with Bono and Stevie Wonder while his songs are
consistently featured in popular American television shows. Rocky is one of the rare African artists
to break through to a broad audience.”
- Derek Beres/Huffington Post

“A night billed as “KCRW’s Global Soul with Stevie Wonder and Friends,” brought together Grammy nominee Janelle Monae and reggae superstar Rocky Dawuni, who gave an impassioned performance to a crowd of 18,000 folks at the historic Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.” - Samantha Prince/Carib Press

Ghana’s international Afro Roots star, Rocky Dawuni, has been invited to headline two giant peace festivals in Africa this week! The first takes place in Nairobi, Kenya on February 28 at Uhuru Park and the second on March 6 during Rocky’s annual Independence Day festival at the Accra Sports Stadium in Accra, Ghana as part of the first annual Ghana Music Week!


The Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) is inviting all Kenyans and non Kenyans alike to Uhuru Park in Nairobi, on February 28 for the “Chagua Peace; Keep the Promise” event. The Society, in collaboration with musicians, the private sector, media, religious leaders and other peace organizations seeks to unite Kenyans of all walks in commemorating the Peace Accord of 2008 and in pledging to observe peace before, during and after the forthcoming General Elections. The event is going to feature many of the top Kenyan acts including Nameless, Eric Wainaina, Juliani and many more as well as Ghanaian star Rocky Dawuni. Rocky will be in Kenya to launch his new song “Nairobi, I Love You” which was filmed by social documentary film makers & activists The Good Makers and features special appearances by many famous Kenyan musicians and power players. The song is a love song to Kenya and all her peoples.


The KRCS has been involved in several peace initiatives and campaigns since 2012. This is because, the KRCS being the humanitarian organization that responded to the post election violence of 2008 and has continued to respond to renewed incidents of ethno-political violence in several parts of the country since November 2011, the Society has found it right to preach peace rather than wait to respond in case of any violence. “Chagua Peace” is set to commence at 10am and end at 6pm. The first annual Ghana Music Week will take place March 4-10, 2013 is being organized by the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), National Theater, Ministry of Tourism and Culture & Art is focused on their theme “Music, Our Life. Mo." Ghana Music Week is expected to attract over 500 musicians, bands, creative industry key players, over 20,000 expected visitors as well as sales & exhibitions all week. There will a be series of concerts to celebrate various Ghanaian music genres each night.
The biggest concert will take place on Wednesday March 6 entitled “ Ghana Unity Concert,” celebrating 56 years of Ghanaian Independence with 56 hit songs from top Ghanaian musicians, featuring all the very biggest names in Ghanaian music, plus Ghanaian International Reggae Superstar, Rocky Dawuni at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Rocky has been producing his own "Independence Splash" concerts in Ghana to incredible response since 2001 to celebrate the independence of Africa from colonial rule through his NGO Africa LIVE! For 2013, Rocky and MUSIGA decided to join together in the celebration and make the event a part of their brand new Ghana Music Week!
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, his music and electric live performances have attracted thousands to his concerts. Rocky’s upcoming new album, “Afro Roots,” fully captures his unique fusion of Afro Beat and Reggae while confirming him as an artist in the tradition of both Fela Kuti and Bob Marley in utilizing his music to uplift, unify and inspire.
http://www.rockydawuni.com
http://www.youtube.com/rockydawunimusic
http://www.africalivemusic.com


- Glen Wilson