Rocky Dawuni – Africa’s voice on GRAMMYs On The Hill 2025 forum
Photo (L-R): Rachel Stilwell (Lawyer, Professor & Music Advodate / Stilwell Law); Rocky Dawuni (Grammy Nominated Musician & Activist); Francis Gborglah (Acting Ambassador for Ghana to the US); Harvey Mason Jnr. (CEO of Recording Academy; Panos A. Panay (President of Recording Academy); and Oral Ofori (PR at Ghana Embassy to US) / © Leigh Vogel / Getty Images / The Recording Academy.
Ghanaian music icon and four-time GRAMMY nominee Rocky Dawuni featured on a speaker line up at the 2nd Annual Future Forum on April 10, the close-out event of GRAMMYs On The Hill 2025 made of artists, advocates, and thought-leaders.
The forum was part of GRAMMYs on the Hill’s two-day event from April 8-10, organized by the Recording Academy. The annual gathering unites music creators, industry leaders, and policymakers to discuss artists’ rights and shape a thriving future for the music community.
Dawuni reflected his passion for cultural unity, advocacy for artists, and the themes of the Future Forum. He mentioned in a statement, “Music is a universal language that bridges cultures and inspires change. As creators, we must unite to protect our rights and ensure our voices shape policies that uplift communities, from Ghana to the global stage.”
Dawuni has been a constant voice for ‘conscious music,’ inspiring a model for new generation artists, with a career cutting across decades. The four-time Grammy nominee is celebrated for his unique ‘Afro roots’ sound, which creatively blends Reggae, Afrobeats, Highlife, and Soul music.
Oral Ofori proudly joined the event on its opening day to support and celebrate Dawuni; representing both his communication research consultancy firm, theafricandream.co as well as the Embassy of Ghana in Washington, D.C. He was accompanied by Mr. Francis Gborglah, Acting Ambassador of Ghana to the United States that day.
“Ghana is immensely proud of Rocky Dawuni’s global influence and advocacy for music creators. His presence at GRAMMYs on the Hill reflects our commitment to encouraging cultural exchange and supporting policies that empower artists worldwide,” said Mr. Gborglah.
Over decades, Dawuni’s Afro roots sounds have gone across Africa, the Caribbean, and the U.S. In that time he has collaborated with legendary artists such as Stevie Wonder, Peter Gabriel, Bono, Jason Mraz, Janelle Monáe, and John Legend.
Dawuni’s successful merger of music and activism has led him to become a prominent spokesperson for various global causes. He was appointed as a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador for Africa, focusing on environmental issues. In this role, he works to raise awareness about the importance of protecting the environment and promoting sustainable development.
He was also named the Global Ambassador for the World Day of African and Afro-descendant Culture, recognized by UNESCO. Through this platform, including his presence at the GRAMMYs On The Hill 2025, he shines a light on crucial issues facing the global community while promoting cultural understanding.
“Supporting Rocky Dawuni at GRAMMYs on the Hill is a proud moment for Ghana. His global artistry and advocacy amplify our cultural legacy, and I’m honoured to represent the Embassy in promoting policies that empower African creators,” said Oral Ofori.
Since 2001, GRAMMYs on the Hill has driven impactful legislation, including the Music Modernization Act of 2018 and the PEACE Through Music Diplomacy Act of 2022, with the Academy supporting 20 U.S. state and federal bills in 2024 alone.
The GRAMMYs on the Hill Awards on April 8, honoured three remarkable figures for their dedication to advancing pro-music policies, they included: seven-time GRAMMY-winning Country legend Randy Travis, U.S. Representative Linda Sánchez (D-CA), and U.S. Representative Ron Estes (R-KS).
Travis was recognized for his enduring contributions to music and his advocacy for creators’ rights, while Sánchez, representing California’s 38th district since 2013 and a former labor lawyer, and Estes, serving Kansas’s 4th district since 2017, were celebrated for their legislative efforts to empower musicians.
On April 9, GRAMMY winners, nominees, and industry leaders met with lawmakers on Capitol Hill to discuss critical issues like artificial intelligence protections, fair compensation, and live music venue support. The week concluded with District Advocate Day on April 10, engaging Academy members in virtual discussions with Congressional offices to further music-friendly policies.
In a post-event chat after the visit with US lawmakers on Capitol Hill, Rocky Dawuni disclosed to theafricandream.co that “The digital age has come with challenges that will impact the very nature of our identity and creativity. Africa with its diverse cultural heritage is susceptible to appropriation that comes with the rise of AI technology the lawless appropriation that comes with its unchecked use.”
This year’s event, described by Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. as a vital platform for uniting the music community and policymakers, underscored the power of collective action to improve creators’ livelihoods. Past honourees like Alicia Keys and John Mayer highlight the event’s legacy of recognizing music’s champions.
Written by Abeeb Lekan Sodiq
Abeeb Lekan Sodiq is a Managing Editor & Writer at theafricandream.net. He is as well a Graphics Designer and also known as Arakunrin Lekan.
