Rocky Dawuni Grabs 4th Grammy Nomination

Ghana’s renowned reggae and Afro-roots musician, Rocky Dawuni, has secured his fourth Grammy nomination, setting a new record as the most-nominated Ghanaian artist in Grammy history.

His latest single, Rise, has earned a spot in the Best Global Music Performance category for the 2025 Grammy Awards. This remarkable recognition adds to Dawuni’s series of Grammy achievements, highlighting his impact on the global music stage and his contribution to bringing Ghanaian music to international audiences.

Dawuni’s Grammy journey began in 2015 when his album, Branches of the Same Tree, was nominated in the Best Reggae Album category. This breakthrough marked the first time a Ghanaian artist received a Grammy nomination, establishing Dawuni as a significant figure in both reggae and Afro-roots music. His influence continued to grow, leading to his second Grammy nomination in 2021 for his album Voice of Bunbon Vol. 1, which was shortlisted in the Best Global Music Album category.

In 2023, his single Never Bow Down was nominated for Best Global Music Performance, underscoring his dedication to creating globally resonant music with a message of unity and resilience.

For the 2025 Grammy Awards, Rise is in competition with a diverse lineup of global music icons. Among the nominees in the Best Global Music Performance category are Angélique Kidjo and the Soweto Gospel Choir with Sunlight to My Soul, Pakistani-American musician Arooj Aftab’s Raat Ki Rani, and a collaborative performance by Jacob Collier with Anoushka Shankar and Varijashree Venugopal titled A Rock Somewhere. Also featured are Masa Takumi’s Kashira, with Ron Korb, Noshir Mody, and Dale Edward Chung, and Bemba Colorá, a performance by Sheila E., Gloria Estefan, and Mimy Succar.

While Ghana celebrates Dawuni’s recognition in the Best Global Music Performance category, the country did not secure a nomination in the newly introduced Best African Music Performance category. This category has generated excitement as it highlights popular African artists such as Asake and Wizkid with their hit MMS, Burna Boy’s Higher, and Chris Brown’s collaboration with Davido and Lojay on Sensational.

Other nominees in the Best African Music Performance category include Tems with Love Me JeJe and Yemi Alade with Tomorrow.

The 2025 Grammy Awards ceremony is scheduled for February 2, 2024, and will be held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, USA.

Dawuni’s fourth Grammy nomination has once again put him and Ghana on the world map, demonstrating the rising prominence of African artists in international music awards. His nomination serves as an inspiration for upcoming Ghanaian and African musicians aspiring to reach global recognition through the power of music.