Propelling Africa with music is possible; we must own the narrative – Rocky Dawuni

Ghanaian Reggae star and internationally recognized music legend, Rocky Dawuni has indicated that Africa’s pursuit for the right narrative can only be made possible when Africans understand what the narrative is geared towards and its role in propelling the continent.

Speaking at the Return Conversation , a creative arts dialogue, organized at the Accra International Conference Centre, the humanitatrian activist stated that knowing what is being propelled as the narrative is a primary objective which must be considered in all conversations that are in relation to changing the narrative to Africa’s advantage.

The three time GRAMMY nominee, stated that a key vehicle that has gradually kept Africa on the world map over the years is music. “Music has been one of the greatest vehicles that we have used in taking Africa to the world; Looking in today’s world Afrobeats is everywhere and Afrobeats is African; when you hear even the intro of an Afrobeats song, the mind is immediately brought to Africa.” he affirmed

However, Rocky noted that Afrobeats, which originated from Africa is being disected into sub-genres by non-Africans. A move he dreads would gradually wipe away Africa and in turn hand over to a different group of people as the originators. “If we don’t control the narrative and own it, in a few years to come what we started with as our will no longer be ours.”

The Return Conversation was hosted by Ghana Tourism Authority and Beyond The Return under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture. It focused on the role of music and film play in uniting the African continent. The event was coupled with the exhibition of rich Ghanaian culture and detailed accounts of the creative arts industry in strategic dialogue.

By: Kobina Baidoo