Gender + Equality

Art and activism: Humanitarian activist Rocky Dawuni on bringing diverse people and cultures together through music

For a decade-and-a-half, Rocky Dawuni has been singing around the world, while campaigning for clean water, women’s empowerment and AIDS awareness.

On a nearly full moon night, Rocky Dawuni’s reggae at the majestic Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur brought a capacity crowd to its feet. The dreadlock-sporting Ghanaian-American’s Afro roots music is meant to achieve exactly that kind of engagement, apart from being danceable and elevating. Creating the opportunity to bring diverse peoples and cultures together is the mantra of the Los Angeles-based musician, who divides his time between the US and Ghana. “Recognise the person next to you and look (them) in the eye,” the Grammy-nominated musician told his audience as he sang Rock Your Soul. Last month, Dawuni performed at the footsteps of the UN building in New York as part of the SDG Live concert to remind everybody how art and activism can play a major role in the attainment of sustainable development goals. For a decade-and-a-half now, he has been singing around the world, while campaigning for clean water, women’s empowerment and AIDS awareness. “My ultimate aim is to create bridges between the side you grow up with and the side you oppose,” says the humanitarian activist, who has performed with legends like Stevie Wonder and Bono.

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