Rocky Dawuni’s latest album, Branches of the Same Tree was nominated for a GRAMMY® for Best Reggae Album.
Dawuni is the first musician from Ghana to ever receive a GRAMMY® nomination. He is also only the second African to be nominated in this category.
Rocky Dawuni was nominated alongside modern Jamaican music greats Luciano, Barrington Levy, Jah Cure and Morgan Heritage who took home the GRAMMY® award. Dawuni stated,“Much like the blues, reggae is the root of so much popular music. I am proud to contribute to its grand tradition and legacy. As my album title states, we are all ‘branches of the same tree’ and I am honored to represent Africa and stand alongside my Jamaican brothers.”
Dawuni released his 6th album Branches of the Same Tree (Cumbancha) on March 31, 2015 to rave reviews worldwide and the album landed on Billboard’s Top 10 Reggae Chart.
He has since toured the world with memorable performances in Canada, Germany, Denmark, The Netherlands, Iceland, Greenland, the UK, and across the USA, as well as taking part in prestigious performances at the Grammy Museum’s “Concert For Social Justice” with David Crosby, Melissa Etheridge, Tom Morello and Jackson Browne and the “Under One Sky” concert (with ONE.org) during the UN General Assembly 2015 to celebrate the announcement of the Global Goals in New York City.
On the heels of this high profile year, Dawuni was invited to join the Leadership Council of The Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rights. In this role, he joins other esteemed members including former US President Bill Clinton, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Quincy Jones, and Harry Belafonte to advance the cause of the organization’s human rights initiatives. Dawuni also serves as a UN Foundation Ambassador for the Global Alliance For Clean Cookstoves, among other social responsibility endeavors.
Influenced by the soulful beats of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, the positive messages and deep grooves of Bob Marley and the infectious, sing-along anthems of Michael Franti, and K’naan, Rocky Dawuni’s songs straddle the musical boundaries between Africa, the Caribbean and the US to create a universally appealing sound that unites generations and cultures.
Dawuni added, “My Branches of the Same Tree brought Ghanaian music a historic nomination at the 2016 GRAMMYs® Garnering such an accolade is a real symbol of the paradigm change in reggae music and a massive recognition of Afro Roots as a new global force. Branches brought a progressive fusion of reggae, Afrobeat and soul music to a global audience. Our journey has not been one of swift victories and overnight successes but a step-by-step climb toward enduring prominence. Although we did not win the physical award, my nomination is a landmark step announcing our arrival on the world stage.”
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