‘Rocky’ Grammy journey of Dawuni

WHEN Ghana’s Afro-Roots/ Reggae artiste, Rocky Dawuni, earned his first Grammy nomination in 2015, it was certainly good news not only for him but Ghana’s music industry, particularly for its debut recognition on such a revered global stage.

After his 2015 nomination in the Best Global Music Album category for Branches Of The Same Tree, the music icon has received three nods in Best Global Music Performance in 2021 for Voice of Bunbon Vol. 1; 2023 for Neva Bow Down featuring Blvk H3ro and 2024 for Rise which is set to be held next year.

The award for Best Global Music album is reserved for international performers exhibiting "non-European, indigenous traditions".

Next year marks exactly a decade since Rocky Dawuni’s first appearance on the Grammy Awards nominations list. While earning the nods has been applauded loudly in Ghana, the path to winning the coveted statuette proper has been rocky. 

Anytime he has been mentioned as a nominee, hopes are heightened and we all wait for the announcement of his win with bated breath only for the ‘gold-plated gramophone’ to find its way to another country. 

The first African to win a Grammy was South African musician, Miriam Makeba in 1966. She won Best Folk Recording for her collaboration with Harry Belafonte for the album, An Evening with Belafonte/Makeba.

Other African Grammy award winners include Ladysmith Black Mambazo (South Africa, 5 Grammys), Angélique Kidjo (Benin, 5 Grammys), Ali Farka Touré (Mali, 3 Grammys), Sikiru Adepoju (Nigeria, 2 Grammys), Babatunde Olatunji (Nigeria, 1 Grammy) and Owuor Arunga (Kenya, 3 Grammys). 

Others are Youssou N’Dour (Senegal, 1 Grammy), Tems (Nigeria, 1 Grammy), Wizkid (Nigeria, 1 Grammy), Soweto Gospel Choir (South Africa, 3 Grammys) and Burna Boy (Nigeria, 1 Grammy). 

As the days draw closer to February 2025 for the 67th annual Grammy Awards, is it going to be another ‘rocky’  story for Dawuni? (Related articles on Rocky Dawuni: I’m 100% confident of winning Grammy in 2025, says Rocky Dawuni, 2025 Grammy Awards: Rocky Dawuni grabs 4th nomination for Ghana, EDITOR’S LENS: Celebrating Rocky Dawuni)

In a recent conversation with Daily Graphic, Rocky Dawuni, credited with songs such as In Ghana, Jammin Nation, Jerusalem, Akwaaba, African Reggae Fever, and Download the Revolution said it’s not a ‘do or die’ affair even though he is very optimistic his ‘10-year-milestone of Grammy nominations will yield positive results this time around.

“I’m 100 per cent sure I will win my first Grammy next year. Weighing my chances on a scale of 1-10, I believe it is 10. I’ve worked very hard over the years and my consistency will pay off. I’m extremely confident,” he said. 

African Rhythms

Several chart-topping artistes in the country with countless bangers in their repertoire have been trying to make the Grammy nomination list but have been unlucky so far. Interestingly, Rocky doesn’t command their kind of clout in Ghana so the question of how he does it never seems to go away.

Rocky told Daily Graphic that his relevance and success in the music industry had been palpable because he chose to be unique with his style without being pressured to follow music trends.

The multiple Grammy award nominee indicated many artistes with global potential were failing to make the mark because they abandoned what set them apart and followed what was in vogue and trendy.

“I’m a proud African and I make sure the identity of my roots is always reflected in my music. My music has always operated on fusing African elements with global elements to forge new and exciting sounds. 

“My Afro-Roots sound which encompasses a message-driven mix of Reggae, Highlife, Afrobeat and Pop has steadily gained a wide level of influence and impact and is the sound that has resulted in most of my nominations. 

“Again, my message of empowerment and peace has gained resonance in many places around the world, leaving a lasting impact on all those we've reached with our music so we are working hard,” he stated.

Support

As Ghana continues to strive to be relevant players on the global music stage, it is imperative to recognise and support music ambassadors who are putting the country on the global stage and Rocky Dawuni, has been flying high the flag of Ghana.

Since 2015, Rocky Dawuni has held the fort for Ghana at the Grammys; unfortunately, the support has not been loud enough as it should particularly when this feat does not only bring pride to Ghana but also highlights a positive image for the country’s music sector.

Is Rocky enjoying home support?  In his words, “I think that sometimes our kind are not recognised in our own country. I believe in my mission to serve the people of Ghana without constantly waiting for applause.

“I believe that my deep sense of love for my country will eventually be reciprocated as long as I continue to stay the course of that service selflessly”.

According to Rocky, the defining words for an artiste’s success are the right mindset, humility, determination and sacrifice. 

“I believe that nothing can move you if you don't equip yourself with the right mindset, humility, determination and sacrifice to find success.

You have to love to play music and not do it purposely for the allure of money and fame. 

“This will transform your craft into an extension of your being, making you unstoppable in your growth,” he added.