Rocky Dawuni is a Ghanaian musician
Multiple Grammy-nominated reggae musician, Rocky Dawuni, has expressed concern that Ghanaian radio stations are keeping reggae music stuck in the past by continually recycling songs that are over a decade old instead of spotlighting fresh releases.
Speaking on GhanaWeb’s X Space on September 19, 2025, Rocky Dawuni said many radio stations have failed to update their reggae playlists or explore the wealth of new music being produced by contemporary reggae artistes.
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He believes this lack of support is one of the main reasons many Ghanaian reggae musicians now blend reggae with other genres, to gain airplay and recognition, since their pure reggae tracks are often sidelined.
According to Rocky Dawuni, Ghana is not lacking in quality reggae music. In fact, he said, many local productions are on par with international standards.
However, he lamented that radio slots dedicated to reggae have not been effectively used to promote homegrown talent, calling for a “reset in mindset” when it comes to reggae programming.
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“When you listen to the radio shows in Ghana, I turn on various reggae shows. When you listen, the set list or the playlist is still the same playlist that I’ve been hearing for the last 15 years. There has not been reinvigoration or exploration to bring new music that we are putting out there.
“You put out a reggae song, and then you listen. But in terms of the reggae shows, it’s still playing the same songs that we used to hear. And I’m not saying that those songs are good or they’re not good
“All I’m saying is that there is that real estate of opportunity that almost all radio stations have shown for reggae music, but it has not been converted as a means to support the local homegrown reggae music, which it needs to do.
“That’s why artistes sometimes have to integrate other genres in order for them to pivot themselves to get more airplay and recognition from other genres that are looking at authentic sounds coming from our country in order to project it,” he said.
He added, “So, I feel there needs to be a total reset of the mindset when it comes to the reggae that is being played on the slots of reggae for most of our stations to integrate. I’m not saying that if music is not well-prepared, it’s not up to par, you should play it just because it’s Ghanaian.
“But there is a lot of great Ghanaian reggae that is on par with anyone you can find anywhere around the world. It should be integrated with all of the ones that are being played.”
Tonight on GhanaWeb Spaces!
The evolution of Reggae music in Ghana in the era of Afrobeats and Highlife with @RockyDawuni & Ras Caleb
Plus: What Diplomatic passports mean for the creative arts industry with Rocky Dawuni
Fri, Sept 19 at 6pm sharp!
Tune in via… pic.twitter.com/lcMaddhTav
— GhanaWeb (@TheGhanaWeb) September 19, 2025
Meanwhile watch GhanaWeb’s exclusive interview with Ajagurajah
AK/EB
