African Reggae star, Rocky Dawuni will appear live as part of PUMA & Afro Funke’ Live’s “African Soccer Fever” events taking place on December 3rd at Afro Funke’ (at Zanzibar in Santa Monica) and December 4th at Elbo Room (in San Francisco.) These events will be celebrating the upcoming World Cup in South Africa in June 2010.

The Los Angeles event with feature the fantastic DJ Jeremy Sole (KCRW), DJ Glenn Red as well as very special guests.

The San Francisco event will feature DJ Senor Oz (Afrolicious), Pleasuremaker Band and much more.

PUMA has shown a longstanding commitment to Africa through their support of art, sport and peace initiatives on the continent. PUMA initiatives aim to bring together individual artists and organizations, and provide them with a platform for creative exchange and international exposure

Rocky Dawuni just released his highly anticipated new CD, Hymns for the Rebel Soul, through Whole Foods Markets across the United States. Dawuni describes the 11-song album, which was recorded during the transformative U.S. Presidential election, as an uplifting exploration of social and global consciousness.  Rocky states; “My recording was my testimony of this period in time. As the world confronts the challenges of wars, diseases, natural disasters, global warming, global economic collapse and poverty - music that uplifts and empowers is a much needed soundtrack.

This change is not about one personality but our ability to collectively overcome petty differences to confront the challenges of the times!” Hymns for the Rebel Soul features melodic acoustic tracks like “Jerusalem,” a personal ode to the Holy City as well as the poignant social commentary of “Walls Tumblin Down”, the new roughneck anthem “African Reggae Fever” and the Lover’s Rock vibe of “Extraordinary Woman.”

The opening track from the album, “Download the Revolution” appears on Electronic Arts’ video game FIFA Soccer 2010 which has already sold millions of copies and is now available for download on ITunes! He can also be seen/heard alongside Bono in the video and song remake of “War /No more Trouble” for the worldwide phenomenon Playing for Change: Songs Around the World CD compilation.  In addition, Rocky’s rendition of Bob Marley’s “Sun is Shining” will be featured on the upcoming Putumayo “Tribute to a Reggae Legend” (Bob Marley) project due in April 2010.

A native Ghanaian, Dawuni is one of Africa’s most exciting artists. His unique fusion of reggae, soul and traditional African sounds and combustible live performances, combined with his social commentary and advocacy for a multitude of global causes, has brought him global recognition and resulted in collaborations with organizations including UNICEF, Product (RED) and the Carter Center.

Rocky is also featured on the recently released Global Lingo compilation CD which benefits Project Ahimsa in their efforts to empower youth through music.