Rocky Dawuni tells the story of Ghana to Los Angeles

Not many people like Rocky Dawuni on planet Earth. Men dreadlocked birth Ghana is touted as "Ghana's Bob Marley" thanks to issues of social removed through the lyrics of the song that has a fusion feel of reggae and Afrobeat, the two types of music that does it listen to since young.

Rocky is also active in the activities social. He is listed as one of the ambassadors of Product Red, which was founded by U2 frontman, Bono, raise awareness about AIDS as well as raise funds to remove it from the African continent.

It is also the originator of the music festival in Ghana named Independence Splash Festival which was held to remind the entire community Continent Africa as a whole will become independent in the interests of modern life.

"Independence is something we should not forget anytime soon. No matter when the first time the country won its independence, "said Rocky told Rolling Stone .

Every year, Independence Splash Festival is estimated to suck up 30 thousand visitors. Last August 2011, Rocky appeared in the legendary venue, the Hollywood Bowl, at the invitation of a living legend Stevie Wonder.

Some other names that also enliven the event include Janelle Monae, Sharon Jones, Charles Bradley, and Grace Porter. In addition, the Rocky is also a recipient of one of Africa's best ten list version of CNN.

Here is the interview Rolling Stone with Rocky Dawuni in Bali, a day before he served as the last day of the performers (fourth) BaliSpirit Festival 2012.

Do you think Bali is a state in accordance with the hype that acceptable?
This is my second time coming here and I feel that the hype was just not enough to describe how important this area. I think the culture of Indonesia itself, as a whole, provide many lessons for other parts of the world about living in harmony among diverse cultures. Just imagine, Indonesia has thousands of islands, different cultures, different religions. While having the status as the country with largest Muslim population in the world, but there is a beautiful harmony here.

Bali should be used as a starting point for tourists from around the world before it came to other parts of Indonesia. Cultural treasures in Bali to make the hype that was not acceptable.

How spiritual condition here when compared to other places you have visited before?
I come from Ghana, and I grew up in a family environment with a wide range. Ghana has everything from traditional religion, Islam, and Christianity. My father was a Muslim, I am a Christian mother, and we are in the neighborhood believe that the majority of traditional religion. So I was exposed to the religious experience is very different.

But every religion also has a strong human element. God gave man religion so that people can become better in life, so there is a relationship between people with different religions of every region. And Bali is one of the most amazing place to experience a harmonious relationship between human beings. So, yes, spiritual aspect here is so big and strong.

You often referred to as "Ghana's Bob Marley", no response on this name?
For me, Bob Marley is one of the greatest exponents for the music that has a spiritual component and at the same time aspiring ideals to arouse people from various cultures. And that's what I want to do through my music from the beginning. Because for every generation, there must be a musician who was on track, both at the circuit mainstream and sidestream.

There should be an artist who wants to use music to inspire people from different cultures and also to create the integration and cross-cultural understanding. That's what I do with my music and it was also performed Bob Marley. I think that's the equation that people see of me and Bob Marley. And is a great honor for me to accept this name, as Bob Marley did it all, from a musical standpoint, correctly.

Since when did you start writing songs?
I started as a child, around age five years. I have the skills to make a melody. Wherever I go, I can filter out sounding melodies. I am also a kid who likes to sing. Even many people who thought I was annoying to have to say, "Shut up, boy!" Until one day I realized that I could sort of music to terdasar components and understand some parts at once. Therefore, my confidence to make music and then increased by leaps and bounds. I really feel that music is my life calling. After that, I began to find its own musical character.

When you decide to talk about social issues in your songs?
Social Issues always have a portion in my songs, because when you grow up in an environment that I live, there are always things that happen. There is always a problem that must be realized and there are some people who do not get a chance to speak. I want to give hope to communities by using the musical abilities that I have. In short, music is a medium that I used to give strength to a number of communities in all aspects.

I heard you moved to Los Angeles?
I live in Los Angeles as well as Ghana. In addition, I also explore other parts of the world to run the concert. Looks like I also want to buy a house in Bali. This place is very beautiful. [ laughs ]

Why did you choose Los Angeles?
My wife lives in Los Angeles, so it was a natural choice. Los Angeles is also an interesting area for me because that's where one of the cultural center that affects many other areas of the world, especially in the presence of Hollywood. So I feel the need to educate myself about Los Angeles as well as bringing the culture where I come from.

Have lived Los Angeles lead you through the process of songwriting is different when compared with in Ghana?
Initially, I was reluctant to record a song in the United States because when it I thought, 'I was an African, I must go home every time you want to write songs.' Then at some point I realized that Los Angeles is also an ideal location for many creative beings around the world. The whole great artists, all great musicians, all great actors, everything came to Los Angeles.

Power there is great creativity. I feel that Los Angeles is an ideal area to improve my art to a different level. My inspiration did come from Ghana, but the inspirations are enhanced by a number of elements that exist in Los Angeles.

What do you miss most from Ghana when you're not there?
[ laughs ] I miss the food, local culture. Interestingly, Bali is very similar to where I lived as a child. Plants, soil, weather, all similar! I was returning home during their stay here. If Los Angeles? I long for its cultural diversity. You can find all sorts of culture there, and all beautifully arranged. you have a song called "Download the Revolution" which is quite contrary to "The Revolution Will Not Be televised" Gil Scott-Heron's.

In your opinion, how much influence on the technology revolution?
Technology is an important component of the revolution. "Download the Revolution" tells about how people will relate through a medium. Once connected, a set of objectives to be human is the most important thing.

Revolution is a thing made ​​by humans, but the catalyst flushed out by the discovery of the technology. And I believe that we now live in the era of the Internet successfully knocked down a lot of restrictions on human relationships. We're creating a new paradigm, even a new world, because of technological developments, but we must always guard against the effects of a revolution. Revolution revolution is not only to achieve my style.

For me, the revolution must also produce positive effects as well as human relations better. All walks of life should have the same opportunity to improve their quality of life respectively.