![\"Rocky](\"http:\/\/showbiz.citifmonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/Rocky-Dawuni1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nBorn in Ghana and based in Los Angeles, Rocky is a galvanizing performer whose infectious grooves and dance-inducing anthems have consistently excited fans. Blessed with easy-going charisma, Rocky has performed and collaborated with Stevie Wonder, Peter Gabriel, Bono, Jason Mraz, Janelle Monae and John Legend, among many others. Named one of Africa\u2019s Top 10 global stars by CNN, he\u2019s showcased his talent around the world at major festivals and prestigious venues such as The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and The Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n
Rocky\u2019s eloquence, cultural diplomacy and successful melding of music and activism have led him to become a passionate spokesperson for various global causes. He has joined forces with Product (RED), UNICEF, the Carter Center and the UN Foundation. In 2012, Rocky was appointed the Tourism and Cultural Ambassador of Ghana and World Ambassador for the Musicians Union of Ghana. The same year, he was named a United Nations Foundation Ambassador for the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves, alongside actress Julia Roberts and chef Jos\u00e9 Andr\u00e9s.<\/p>\n
According to Rocky, \u201cBranches of the Same Tree was inspired by the songs and melodies I have heard over the years during my travels. It contains snippets of my personal observations of various cultures and global musical developments.\u201d The album\u2019s title reflects Rocky\u2019s belief that recognition of our shared humanity is the key to peaceful coexistence among all peoples of the world. \u201cWhen we recognize we are all branches of the same tree we begin to see our common roots,\u201d argues Rocky, \u201cthis is the cornerstone of true Oneness.\u201d<\/p>\n
The album\u2019s first single, \u201cAfrican Thriller\u201d was released on July 24th, 2014, followed by the launch of a music video on November 4th. Recorded in Ghana and Los Angeles, the song features legendary trumpeter Osei Tutu (Hedzole, Edikanfo, Ebo Taylor), CC Frank on drums (Fela Kuti) and Dean Gant (Anita Baker, Outkast) on keyboards. Jeremy Sole, a DJ, producer and host on the taste-defining Los Angeles radio station KCRW, remixed the single and album versions of \u201cAfrican Thriller.\u201d The video has been featured on hundreds of global outlets including Entertainment Weekly, MTV, Channel O and VH1 and continues to gain momentum worldwide.<\/p>\n
The album\u2019s opening track, \u201cShine a Light,\u201d is a catchy, radio-friendly anthem that incorporates a syncopated New Orleans-style rhythm, Brazilian percussion, a reggae underpinning and a sing-along chorus. As with many of Rocky\u2019s songs, the message is inspirational and upbeat: \u201cLight up the darkness \/ With a positive spirit \/ Oh let the sun shining in with a wave of a joyful sound \/ Whether high or low I will not be afraid \/ To lift my head up reach and touch the sky \/ Hey, I believe we can \/ Shine a light so bright \/ For the world to see.\u201d<\/p>\n
Branches of the Same Tree also demonstrates Rocky\u2019s more introspective talents with the ballads \u201cButterfly\u201d and \u201cIsland Girl.\u201d The former is a Bob Marley composition that was never formally recorded by the reggae legend. Rocky adapted this version from a rough Marley demo, giving it a lilting tropical feel supported by long time Ben Harper collaborator Tom Freund on ukulele and Jack Johnson drummer Adam Topol. The simple yet enchanting closing track \u201cIsland Girl\u201d also features Tom Freund on ukulele.<\/p>\n
The Bob Marley influence is also apparent on Rocky\u2019s cover of the iconic Marley and Peter Tosh composition \u201cGet Up, Stand Up.\u201d Rocky gives his version an Afrobeat touch and sings the lyrics in the Pidgin English vernacular of Ghana. Rocky\u2019s commitment to political activism and cultural pride is further demonstrated on the powerful song \u201cBlack Star,\u201d which features a guest appearance by Samini, a rising star in Ghana.<\/p>\n
\u201cBlack Star\u201d celebrates Africa, calling for a new vision from the modern generation of Africans. It reaches for unity and strength among Africans as well as anyone around the world who shares the belief that the roots of mankind can be found on the continent.\u201d Rocky sings out, \u201cRemember who you are \/ Remember where you are from \/ Then you gonna know which way the wind will blow \/ Educate your mind, dedicate your heart \/ That is the only way this victory will grow \/ Black Star arise show the people what you know.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rocky\u2019s love of Africa and its people can also be felt on the song \u201cNairobi\u201d, which was inspired by a trip he took to Kibera in Nairobi, Kenya during a very tense time in the country. It was right before their national elections, and tribal and political differences threatened the nation\u2019s stability and security. Rocky wrote it as a love song for a city, country and people.<\/p>\n
Other highlights on Branches of the Same Tree include \u201cThe Sign,\u201d an Afro-Roots track that stresses the awareness of spirituality in our everyday lives, learning to trust one\u2019s inner voice and accepting that a higher power guides the course of our lives. \u201cChildren of Abraham\u201d is about recognizing shared destiny and choosing the path to peace over any path to war. \u201cIt was motivated by my trip to Israel and Palestine,\u201d notes Rocky, \u201cthat moved me deeply and led me to think hopefully about the possibilities of peace and coexistence. My interaction with the people, and visits to mosques, churches and synagogues inspired the track.\u201d<\/p>\n
While Rocky explores a variety of new sounds and musical direction on his new album, he does not abandon his reggae roots, contributing two straight up African reggae tracks that will surely please his longtime fans. According to Rocky, \u201cRock Your Soul\u201d is \u201ca very personal song of love and relationships. It\u2019s about how we can transcend life\u2019s challenges if love leads our intentions.\u201d Meanwhile, \u201cWe Never Stop\u201d is \u201ca track to put everyone on notice that roots rockers are back! We love to play music and the feeling of positivity and togetherness that it brings.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reflecting his maturity as an artist, Branches of the Same Tree highlights Dawuni\u2019s ability to communicate a universal, uplifting message that crosses borders and reaches out to the hearts of millions.<\/p>\n
For concert bookings in North America contact Riot Artists, in Europe contact Neil O\u2019Brien Entertainment.<\/p>\n
\u201cPerforming his self-described \u2018Afro-Roots\u2019 sound, a fusion of reggae and Afrobeat groove, few artists have a more positive vibe than Rocky. His show is an incandescent Afro-Roots dance party.\u201d \u2013 LA Weekly<\/p>\n
\u201cHis 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.\u201d
\n–
\nSource: http:\/\/www.cumbancha.com\/rockydawuni\/press<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
International music star and humanitarian activist Rocky Dawuni straddles the musical boundaries between Africa, the Caribbean and the U.S. to create an appealing \u201cAfro-Roots\u201d sound that unites generations and cultures. Filled with uplifting and irresistible songs, Rocky\u2019s sixth album, and first on Cumbancha, blends inspirations from his diverse experiences while expanding on his identity as […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"jnews_override_counter":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[35,6],"class_list":["post-86431","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","tag-lpg","tag-togbe-afede"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86431","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=86431"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86431\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=86431"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=86431"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=86431"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}