Rock Dawuni makes CNN’s list of Africa’s ten biggest artistes

Ghana may have missed out on the Forbes list of 40 most influential entertainers in Africa but when CNN narrowed it down to ten of the continent’s most famous and much-loved musical exports ten, the celebrated and award-winning international Ghanaian reggae artist, Rocky Dawuni made the cut.

Rocky, widely acclaimed as Ghana’s Bob Marley, has over the years raised high the flag of Ghana in international circles and has performed to audiences across the world as well as working with music legend, Stevie Wonder. He has won several international awards from his last album, Hymns for the Rebel Soul which was released early this year. The awards include, Best African Artist at this year’s International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA).

The world acclaimed Ghanaian singer, now based in Los Angeles, was featured on CNN’s African Voices in September this year. Rocky Dawuni is the only Ghanaian in the featured list which is dominated by Nigerian artists such as Asa, Nneka and 2Face Idibia. Other renowned artistes who made it to the list includes; Senegal’s Youssou N’Dour, Mali’s Salif Keita and Somali-born rapper K’naan.

Amadou et Mariam, the visually impaired duo from Mali also considered one of the continent’s biggest artistes. The duo, since meeting at Mali’s Institute for the Young Blind in the 1970s, has received international recognition for their music diversity. Grammy award-winning singer, Cesaria Evora, the most famous musical export from the Cape Verde Islands and South African choral group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo completes the list