World music star, Rocky Dawuni has unveiled a stunning new video for his latest single, “Shade Tree.” This visually captivating production was filmed in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, offering a picturesque celebration of culture, lifestyle, and the rich diversity of its inhabitants. “Shade Tree” is part of Rocky Dawuni’s forthcoming album in 2024, and it emerges as a timely anthem of empowerment and unity on the global stage.
Salvador, Bahia, serves as an ideal backdrop for the “Shade Tree” video, given its historical roots in the convergence of African heritage. The city, often described as a modern-day “cultural shade tree,” represents the link connecting Africa to the African Diaspora and the rest of the world. The video’s direction was expertly handled by the talented Brazilian filmmaker Ema Ribeiro and produced by Acesssos Produtora. Dawuni’s choice of Ema stems from her reputation as a rising, innovative female director in Brazil, and her unique perspective as a Salvador resident lent invaluable depth to the song’s global message.
“Shade Tree” revolves around the concept of a tree providing shade for the various “shades” of humanity. It acts as a meeting point and refuge for all, where disputes find resolution, and the shelter from life’s storms is collectively shared. This song underscores our shared destiny as beings interconnected with one another and with all life, akin to the interconnected roots of a tree. Beneath the tree’s shelter, individuality merges into a collective community, emphasizing the lyric, “we are one, but we are not the same. We are one under one shade.” In a world grappling with geopolitical divisions and Africa awakening to new political realities, this song resonates as a poignant reminder of our shared humanity.
Rocky Dawuni’s distinct “Afro Roots” sound fuses roots reggae, Afrobeat, highlife, soul, pop, and more. Beyond his musical endeavors, Rocky actively serves as a UN Goodwill Ambassador for the Environment for Africa and leads the Rocky Dawuni Foundation. At a recent United Nations General Assembly, the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, drew inspiration from Rocky’s lyrics in his song ”Walls Tumblin Down” for her passionate address to world leaders. This illustrates the profound effect of art in igniting significant conversations on the sociopolitical direction of our world.
Author: World Music Central News Room
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