About Africa Live!
Africa Live!
is a non-profit organization whose mission is to preserve, restore, and
reinvigorate the Ghanaian music scene, creating public and industry awareness
for its rich history and value, and commercial opportunities for artists
and the community. Ghanaian international music star, Rocky Dawuni recognized
the need to safeguard Ghana’s incredible music legacy. Through Africa
Live! Dawuni plans to promote music education and appreciation in schools,
provide schools and artists with access to instruments, venues and professional
production assistance, and foster musical collaboration between the U.S.
and Ghana.
Through Africa Live! Dawuni has been harnessing the power of African musical
celebrity and organizing local musicians to focus on social issues of
clean water, guinea worm eradication, girl child education, HIV awareness
as well as working hand in hand with international organizations like
UNICEF, European Union, Ghana Aids Commission, politicians, administrators
and traditional rulers to find lasting and sustainable solutions to these
problems.
Africa Live! for the past eight years has organized the hugely successful Rocky Dawuni’s Independence Splash to celebrate Ghana ’s Independence Day. The festival has featured the cream of Ghanaian music including Rex Omar, Amandzeba, Nat Brew, Mac Tontoh, Gyedu-Blay Ambolley, A. B. Crentsil and Paapa Yankson. The 6th annual event served as a "music revival", sparking renewed interest from both young and old in the legacy of Ghanaian music from the 60's, 70's, and 80's. Independence Splash has served as the successful launching pad for the careers of Obuor and Batman Samini. It has showcased some of the best traditional and neo traditional music by featuring artistes and groups like King Ayisoba, Hewale Sounds and Djenbii.
Last year, Ghana's 50th anniversary of independence celebration, Africa Live! put on a concert with the brightest Ghanaian musical talent. 25,000 fans and fellow countrymen came out to celebrate. Independence Splash 2008 was held in Tamale, in the Northern region of Ghana, at the brand new Tamale Sports Stadium. This concert was organized with support from UNICEF, the European Union, and the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly. The Northern region has a rich and varied musical history. The concert enabled talented Northern artists such as Sheriff Gale, Abu Sadiq and Mama Rams to perform on a world class stage.
In addition to music education in schools, Africa Live! has the objective to transform the unique success of organizing yearly festival to a sustainable weekly/monthly musical performances at the Art Centers in Accra and Tamale. The resulting effect is to make Funke’Africa at the Arts Centers the engine of the artistic transformation of the country with music playing its natural leading role.
The programs will
feature music from all ten regions of Ghana as well as contemporary Ghanaian
music like high-life, hip life and afro beat. The productions will have
top quality sound and PA systems, high quality traditional costumes and
well packaged program content. These programs will run over the weekend
from Friday to Sunday. Each week the performances will feature a variety
of artists that will richly present Ghanaian music at its best. There
will be special monthly programs which will be headlined by top Ghanaian
artists. Africa Live! also hopes to expand the reach of its programs
through the opening of a community radio station in Accra as well to help
promote traditional music and social awareness of humanitarian issues.
Africa Live’s Independence Splash has enjoyed support and sponsorship
from organizations such as UNICEF, the European Commission, Alliance Francais,
Ghana Aids Commission, Ministry of Tourism, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation,
Ministry of Local Government, Joy FM, Adom FM, Radio Gold, former Ghana
Airways, Antrak Air, MKOGH Clothing, Elike Clothing, Keba Clothing, Busy
Internet and Naturel Enterprises.
Africa Live! is a
California non-profit organization.
Africa Live! is a registered NGO in Ghana
UPCOMING
EVENTS:
AFRICA LIVE! Presents
“ROCKY DAWUNI’S INDEPENDENCE SPLASH 2010”
March
6th, 2010 – Accra, Ghana
Africa Live! will present the 10th Annual “Rocky
Dawuni’s Independence Splash” in Accra, Ghana on March
6, 2010. This exciting event will feature international Afro
Roots star Rocky Dawuni, supported an amazing cast of
international and local artists for the 53rd anniversary of the independence
of Ghana and the 100th Centenary of Kwame Nkrumah.
Dawuni is the creator and headliner of the annual music festival held every March 6th in his native Ghana. Independence Splash was founded in 2001 to celebrate his homeland on their Independence Day as the first black African country to gain independence from colonial rule. The annual event in attracts upwards of 30,000 people every year on the sub continent and has become the rallying point for Rocky’s extensive humanitarian and advocacy work on clean water, HIV AIDS, poverty eradication and girl child education issues. Dawuni has made several extensive trips throughout Northern Ghana in conjunction with UNICEF & the Carter Center, helping to shed light on the acute water / sanitation problems and helping to spur practical and sustainable solutions reflective of his ongoing quest to use music as a tool for social development. Rocky has also served as a personality for Product (RED) led by U2’s front man Bono and Bobby Shriver supporting The Global Fund’s initiatives on HIV/ AIDs in Africa.
After 8 successful years in Ghana, West Africa the 9th annual “Rocky Dawuni’s Independence Splash” concert moved to Los Angeles on March 5, 2009 to commemorate the election of the first African American President to the United States, and its impact on social and political independence worldwide. The historic event held at Rocky’s weekly night club, Afro Funke’, was a tremendous success! Rocky Dawuni & the Revelation Project were in absolute rare form for the capacity crowd of revelers! Joining them on stage were special guests Leon Mobley (Ben Harper) who brought the house to a frenzy with his spirited drumming as well as Jazz legend, Ronnie Laws, who grabbed a saxophone to lend his talent to an unbelievable rendition of Rocky's "Afro Roots Vibration."
In the US and Europe, Dawuni’s progressive fusion of Reggae, Soul and traditional African sounds, have been making steady inroads in the entertainment industry. His highly anticipated 5th studio album, Hymns for the Rebel Soul was just released by Whole Foods Market in October 2009 and will be followed by an early 2010 release in Ghana. Video Game Giant EA has licensed the first track off the album “Download the Revolution” from the forthcoming release for their FIFA 2010 video game which will expose this release to millions of fans around the world. (Two tracks from his previous recording Book of Changes were also featured on EA’s FIFA 2008 and Simms video games.) Rocky can currently be seen / heard alongside Bono in the video and song remake of “War /No more Trouble” for the Playing for Change album which has become a worldwide phenomenon selling over 200,000 copies in the United States alone.
Independence Splash is presented by Africa Live! is a non-profit organization whose mission is to preserve, restore, and reinvigorate the Ghanaian music scene, creating public and industry awareness for its rich history and value, and commercial opportunities for artists and the community. Native son and musician Rocky Dawuni recognized the need to safeguard Ghana’s incredible music legacy. Through Africa Live! Dawuni plans to promote music education and appreciation in schools, provide artists with access to instruments, venues and professional production assistance, and further appreciation and demand for traditional West African music throughout the world.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgWFxFg7-GU
Supported
by:
www.obaasema.com
www.unicef.org
www.mtn.com
RECENT EVENTS:
”African Soccer Fever” Los Angeles @ Afro Funke’:
http://www.vimby.com/video/music/us/all/detail/10684
“African Soccer Fever” San Francisco @
Elbo Room:
http://www.vimby.com/video/music/us/all/detail/10686
African Reggae star, Rocky Dawuni appeared live as part of PUMA & Afro Funke’ Live’s “African Soccer Fever” events which took place on December 3rd at Afro Funke’ (at Zanzibar in Santa Monica) and December 4th at Elbo Room (in San Francisco.) These events celebrated the upcoming World Cup in South Africa in June 2010. The Los Angeles event featured the fantastic DJ Jeremy Sole (KCRW), DJ Glenn Red, live visuals by Mekanix as well as very special guests. The San Francisco event featured DJ Senor Oz (Afrolicious), Pleasuremaker Band and much more.
PUMA
has shown a longstanding commitment to Africa through their support of
art, sport and peace initiatives on the continent. PUMA initiatives aim
to bring together individual artists and organizations, and provide them
with a platform for creative exchange and international exposure
Rocky Dawuni just released his highly anticipated new
CD, Hymns for the Rebel Soul, through Whole Foods
Markets across the United States. Dawuni describes the 11-song
album, which was recorded during the transformative U.S. Presidential
election, as an uplifting exploration of social and global consciousness.
Rocky states; “My recording was my testimony of this period in time. As
the world confronts the challenges of wars, diseases, natural disasters,
global warming, global economic collapse and poverty - music that uplifts
and empowers is a much needed soundtrack. This change is not about one
personality but our ability to collectively overcome petty differences
to confront the challenges of the times!” Hymns for the Rebel Soul features
melodic acoustic tracks like “Jerusalem,” a personal ode to the Holy City
as well as the poignant social commentary of “Walls Tumblin Down”, the
new roughneck anthem “African Reggae Fever” and the Lover’s Rock vibe
of “Extraordinary Woman.”
The opening track from the album, “Download the Revolution” appears on Electronic Arts’ video game FIFA Soccer 2010 which has already sold millions of copies and is now available for download on ITunes! He can also be seen/heard alongside Bono in the video and song remake of “War /No more Trouble” for the worldwide phenomenon Playing for Change: Songs Around the World CD compilation. In addition, Rocky’s rendition of Bob Marley’s “Sun is Shining” will be featured on the upcoming Putumayo “Tribute to a Reggae Legend” (Bob Marley) project due in April 2010.
A native
Ghanaian, Dawuni is one of Africa’s most exciting artists. His unique
fusion of reggae, soul and traditional African sounds and combustible
live performances, combined with his social commentary and advocacy for
a multitude of global causes, has brought him global recognition and resulted
in collaborations with organizations including UNICEF, Product (RED) and
the Carter Center. Rocky is also featured on the recently released Global
Lingo compilation CD which benefits Project Ahimsa in their efforts to
empower youth through music.
www.twitter.com/rockydawuni
http://www.ea.com/blogs/music
From Ghana to L.A.
“Rocky Dawuni’s Independence Splash” Comes to SoCal
March 5th, 2009
After 8 successful years in Ghana, West Africa the 9th annual “Rocky Dawuni’s Independence Splash” concert will come to Los Angeles on March 5, 2009 to commemorate the election of the first African American President to the United States, and its impact on social and political independence worldwide. Rocky Dawuni founded the Independence Splash concert in 2001 to celebrate his homeland of Ghana on their Independence Day as the first black African country to gain independence from colonial rule. This represents the first time this celebration will take place outside of Africa and will be held at Afro Funke’ in Santa Monica. The show will feature Rocky Dawuni & his 11 piece Revelation Project, DJs Jeremy Sole (KCRW) & Glenn Red and other very special guests.
Independence Splash 2009 is presented by Africa LIVE!, a nonprofit organization that strives to restore, preserve and reinvigorate the live music scene in Ghana. Since its inception, Independence Splash has attracted thousands and has been broadcast to millions. Through Africa Live! Dawuni has also been organizing local Ghanaian musicians to focus on social issues including clean water and guinea worm eradication; working hand in hand with international organizations like UNICEF, European Union, Ghana Aids Commission as well as community leaders and politicians to find lasting and sustainable solutions to these pressing issues.
As one of the Africa’s most popular musicians, Dawuni has long championed social causes and inspired a generation of artists and fans alike. Rocky has served as a personality for Product (RED) led by U2’s front man Bono and Bobby Shriver supporting The Global Fund’s initiatives on HIV/ AIDs in Africa. His conscious music and electric live performances have attracted superstars such as Stevie Wonder and Peter Gabriel to join him on stage to tremendous response. Rocky is currently finishing his forthcoming 5th studio album to be released in late 2009. He is also slated to be seen and heard alongside Bono in the video and song remake of “War /No more Trouble” for Playing for Change to be released by Concord Music later this year.
Los Angeles’ renown Thursday night club Afro Funke’, (which Dawuni co-founded) has been the city’s premier African- based evening for over five years. An explosive mix of all ethnicities and ages dancing non-stop to DJ and Live Afrobeat, Brazilian, Dub, Reggae, Afro-Latin House, Indian Beats, Makossa & other deep-rooted funk music from around the world, Afro Funke’ promises to be the perfect venue for Rocky Dawuni’s Independence Splash 2009!!
Independence Splash is sponsored by Livity Outernational, Sanni, and Mami Afrika Fashion.
Afro
Funke’ @ Zanzibar
1301 5th Street @ Arizona
Santa Monica, CA 90401
310.451.2221 / 21+ / 9pm - 2am / www.zanzibarlive.com
www.myspace.com/afrofunke
/ www.afrofunke.com
www.rockydawuni.com / www.myspace.com/rockydawunimusic
www.livity.org / www.sanni.com
/ www.mamiafrika.com
www.fusicology.com / www.universal-rhythm.com