Following Rocky Dawuni’s nomination for the 2016 Grammys, Ghanaian rapper Nuru has told his colleagues to “drive…attention and focus towards doing music with our indigenous African elements embedded within.”
He said reggae maestro Rocky is one artists from Africa can learn from. “Dawuni's music connects directly back to Africa,” he said. “It is the easiest way to winning awards at the most reputable awards schemes in the world.”
This comes after Dawuni became the first Ghanaian to be nominated for a Grammy award this year. He is up against some of the heavyweights of modern reggae including Morgan Heritage, Luciano, Jah Cure, and Barrington Levy in the Reggae Album of the Year category with the acclaimed album, Branches of The Same Tree.
Nuru said in a recent interview on Bishara FM that contemporary western music was eroding most indigenous African music. "We have to show more respect and place some value on our own music. Regardless the genre of music one does, our local music elements can be added on", the rapper/publicist said.
"Let's re-package what we portray now for a larger appeal to give the Ghanaian music industry the much needed boost. I have seen Atongo Zimba, Sherif Ghale, Ayisoba, Rocky Dawuni, Sherifatu Gunu and others sell music from northern Ghana in Europe, Asia, etc. The West yearns for our music, especially music originating from northern Ghana.”
“Traditional authorities and technocrats could join in to help in the re-packaging process," Nuru added.
Earlier this year, Nuru released his debut single, 'Mali Zani' ft. Edem. In December 2015 he released his next single, 'Born To Win', which features Ruff N Smooth.
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