Reggae Singer Promotes Unity Through His Songs

Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

1. upbeat (adj.) [uhp-beet] – lively and cheerful

Example: It is fun to dance to upbeat songs.

2. career path (n.) [kuh-reer] [path, pahth] – a planned progression of jobs within an organization or in a professional field leading to the realization of career goals

Example: After passing the teacher’s exam, she was ready for the career path of a college professor. 

3. global (adj.)  [gloh-buhl]  – worldwide;  relating to or happening throughout the whole world

Example: The company aims to have customers in the global market.

4. provision (n.) [pruh-vizh-uhn] – the act or process of supplying or providing something

Example: The company is working on the provision of new computers for the new employees.

5. diversity (n.) [dih-vur-si-tee, dahy-] – a variety of something such as opinion, color, or styles

Example: Our world is interesting because of the diversity of our cultures and beliefs.

Article
Read the text below.

Rocky Dawuni, known as “Ghana's Bob Marley”, sends a message of unity as he promotes his upbeat brand of music.

Where Dawuni grew up, music was an important part of people’s lives. They celebrated special moments with songs. He found great interest in reggae at a young age, and since then took music as his career path.  So far, he has recorded five albums and performed with global artists like Stevie Wonder.

Dawuni’s most impressive accomplishment is the creation of the Independence Splash Festival commemorating Ghana as the first ever independent African country.

In the annual event, thousands of music lovers gather for a concert aimed at raising awareness for social issues such as the provision of clean water to poor communities, education for girls, and HIV/AIDS awareness. Although based in Los Angeles, Dawuni returns to his country for this affair.

   

The singer-songwriter’s music delivers messages about brotherhood and unity despite diversity in culture, religion and gender.  To Dawuni, all people sharing the same space and breathing the same air are part of one humanity.

Sharing his music to everybody matters more to Dawuni than making profit from it. Through his music, he is able to create an open environment where people can communicate and understand one other.  

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

·         Do you believe that a song is an effective way to convey or deliver messages?

·         Do singers have to be famous in order for their songs to be popular? Why or why not?

Discussion B

·         When do you usually listen to music?

·         What are the advantages and disadvantages of music?