Accra witnessed a historic cultural moment on the evening of 28th November, as the first-ever RocAfrik Music & Arts Festival organised by Apprise Music & Media concluded with a spectacular main concert at the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum. What unfolded beneath the night sky was more than entertainment — it was a celebration of identity, ritual, memory, and artistic excellence that left audiences in awe.
From beginning to end, the energy was electric. Each performer brought not just sound, but soul — offering deeply felt artistic expressions that resonated with both the heritage of Ghana and the wider global diaspora.
A Cultural Explosion Led by Abiana and Auļi
The highlight of the night — and the unquestionable emotional center — was the breathtaking collaboration between Ghana’s own Abiana and Latvia’s thunderous folk ensemble Auļi.
Their performance of selections from the debut Voices of Ghana EP was nothing short of transcendent.
- Abiana’s warm, honey-rich voice carried ancestral tenderness, strength, and spirit.
- Auļi’s booming drums and bagpipes surged like a rolling storm — primal, reverberating, elemental.
Abiana on stage with Auli
Together, the fusion was astonishing. Their sound was ancient and futuristic at once — Baltic thunder meeting African sunlight — a sonic bridge between worlds. The audience didn’t just listen… they felt every beat in their bones. It was culturally uplifting, emotionally stirring, and artistically phenomenal. Applause thundered long after their final note.
Performances that ignited the night
The evening’s full lineup delivered a vibrant spectrum of musical colors, each artist adding their own voice to the festival’s inaugural legacy:
- King Eazie brought rhythmic charisma and stage confidence, hyping the crowd into movement and call-and-response celebration.
- Ayizam delivered a beautifully grounded performance, blending modern flow with cultural authenticity.
- Osagyefo offered a heartfelt, roots-driven set that reminded audiences of Ghana’s timeless musical backbone in reggae and dancehall.
- Ras Caleb Appiah-Levi brought reggae vibrations with spiritual edge and seasoned stage presence.
- King Nzema electrified the audience with energetic vocal delivery and high-impact performance style.
- Rob Roy powered through with a magnetic stage command and lyrical connection to the crowd, a 70’s reminder of why good music never fades..
- Nativ Afrik, a welcome addition to the lineup, shook the grounds with a vibrant cultural showcase that pushed the energy higher and connected deeply with the theme of African artistic resurgence.
- Michahel Saba, an uplifting gospel that stirred the night into the right mood for the occasion of grace and purpose.
Each artist contributed to a night where diversity of sound became unity of spirit.
Akuna Wallet Ignited Festival Participation
Throughout the evening, festivalgoers who downloaded and used the Akuna Wallet app became eligible for exciting cash giveaways. Cheers erupted as winners were announced — adding surprise, excitement, and community engagement to the night. It was an innovative digital twist woven into a night of heritage and artistry.
A Landmark Cultural Beginning
The significance of RocAfrik’s first edition was felt beyond the music.
Held at the resting place of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the venue grounded the event in history, liberation, and national identity. Under the silhouette of Ghana’s first President, a new artistic tradition was born.
RocAfrik has already proven itself not just as a festival, but as a cultural institution in the making. It successfully delivered on its promise:
to create a pan-African and global cultural bridge, where the ancestors are respected, the present is celebrated, and the future is invited to dream.
A Night Accra Will Not Forget
When the final echoes faded and the lights dimmed, one sentiment remained in the air — we had witnessed something historic. The performances were stunning, the atmosphere was euphoric, and the cultural alignment was profound.
Auļi and Abiana’s shared performance alone could have defined the night — but alongside the other brilliant artists, the experience became greater than any individual act. It became a communal pulse.
RocAfrik 2025 didn’t just end — it opened a door.
And as the festival looks ahead to its annual return, one thing is certain:
the world will be listening. More information can be found via www.rocafrik.com
Acknowledging the People & Institutions Who Made It Possible
Organised by:
Apprise Music & Media
Powered by:
- AKUNA WALLET
- Apprise Music & Media
Under the auspices of:
- Diaspora Affairs Office of the President
Partners:
- Ghana Tourism Development Company Ltd
- Creative Arts Agency, Ghana
- National Folklore Board
- PanAfrica – Ghana
- GHAMRO
Social Handles:
@apprisemusic @akunawallet @diasporaaffairs.ghana @gtdc_ghana @caaghana
@caag_official @folkloregh @nationalfolkloreboard.gh
@panafrica_ghana @apprisemusicforartists @ghamroonline
