Dadanii Okwabi has been a musician since the age of eight. He is a professional drummer, singer ,dancer and teacher. He is well known in his native country of Ghana as well as in his new home Australia.
Dadanii began his career in 1978 after winning the best young singer in Ghana award at the 1978 Children’s Folk Music Awards. During his career Dadanii has worked with the Mantse Mei cultural group and high profile musicians including Okyrema Asante, Pat Thomas and the late John K. In 1979 he joined Ebaahi sounds as lead singer and recorded 5 albums. During this time he performed with Fleetwood Mac on their 1981 Ghanaian tour and recorded with Mick Fleetwood on the album The Visitor. In 1985 Dadanii worked with internationally acclaimed groups like Wulomei as lead vocalist. From 2000 to 2002 he worked in the UK with London based groups the Abladei and the Kakatstsi Band .
Dadanii and Damushi Ensemble were fortunate enough to be nominated for the 2017 World Music Award at the SAM Awards.
Recently Dadanii has performed at many festivals including
The Call of the Wild (2005)
The Big Day Out in Adelaide (2005 and 2006)
African Journey Adelaide (2006)
Roxby Downs festival (2014)
Tunarama festival (2016)
Adelaide Fringe festival (2016)
The Unmask Festival ( 2015 and 2016)
Oyster Festival (2016)
Unley Gourmet Festival (2017)
The Sanctuary Yoga and Music Festival (2017)
Oyster Festival (2017)
Unley Gourmet Festival (2018)
Adelaide Fringe (2018)