On an evening brimming with sentiment, significance, and well-deserved acclaim, Mon Rovîa, a top-charting country-rock musician, officially made his first appearance at the Grand Ole Opry. The “ROCKSTAR” vocalist celebrated a major landmark in his already transformative musical journey on Tuesday, July 29. Taking the spotlight, the beloved artist reaffirmed his standing within the country music community.
Born in Liberia during the country’s civil war, MON ROVÎA, whose birth name is Janjay Lowe, comes with a very organic perspective on issues of war, peace and social justice, having also lived as a refugee. Adopted and raised in Tennessee, USA, he discovered solace and restoration through music. Now a rising star in the Country Music genre, Rovîa leverages his artistry for advocacy. Now living in Appalachia, he shares a message of healing and hope: “The Only Way is Up.”
“It’s about the elephant in the room—the cognitive dissonance we feel in the West; witnessing the horrors on our phones, stuck feeling helpless in any of our efforts. So apathy grows,” he told the International Rescue Committee in an interview in 2024.
Mon Rovîa delivered a thoughtfully curated set combining heartfelt ballads with raw, unvarnished realism. Among the songs he performed was “Crooked the Road,” a track often regarded as a contemporary love song that has become one of the defining pieces of his repertoire. In a delightful and unexpected moment that thrilled his audience, fans could be seen nodding along to this idiomatic and affectionate tune. With a distinct voice and artistic vision, Mon Rovîa has confidently claimed his place in the limelight. He pushes the conventional limits of country music by fusing elements of African Highlife, metal, and traditional country into a sound uniquely his own.
His debut at the Opry was more than a performance, it was a tribute to his heritage and musical beginnings, as well as a bold declaration within one of country music’s most revered venues. This act bridged the gap between honoring tradition and embracing innovation, a feat only an artist like Mon Rovîa could accomplish.
Believe it or not, Liberia is home to a rather unusual fan base for country music. From time to time, the sounds of Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton or Don Williams can still be heard on the radio or from someone humming nearby. It’s not clear exactly how many Liberians are into this genre, but the number transcends generations as children know certain songs because they heard their elders sing them. However, it’s the lyrical power of country music that resonates with Liberians — something Mon Rovîa knows quite well. The most influential Liberian musical artists woo their audiences by weaving metaphors and parables into their sagely lyrics.
The Grand Ole Opry, regarded as the pinnacle of country music, was founded in 1925. It has grown from an ordinary radio show to the biggest stage that any country musician can perform on.
At the July 29 event in Nashville, Tennessee, Mon Rovîa joined a select group of artists for the venue’s 100th anniversary and launch the next century of Opry tradition. Renowned for breaking musical conventions, this show served as a tribute to his country heritage, familial roots, and genuine artistry. His inclusion in the Opry 100 Debut means that he is one of the most promising rising country music talents whose music has earned the admiration of country music icons as well as the endorsement of Opry’s leadership.
During his set on the legendary Opry stage, he performed “Heavy Foot,” a song with a very keen perspective on justice and the relationship between the government and the governed. “I’m honored and grateful for the opportunity to have just made my @opry debut.” the artist wrote under his video in a Facebook post. “This is “heavy foot”. Let me know if you jive with my performance or not 🙂.”
It’s good music. Yet the lyrics carry more currency, powered by his warm vocals. Mon Rovîa plays most of his music on a very small string instrument called a ukulele, backed by two other guitarists. It’s quite the acoustic experience a, with hardly any percussion instruments.
Looking ahead, MON ROVÎA is set to embark on his “MON ROVÎA A Place To Gather UK and Europe Tour”, starting January 14, 2026 at Berns in Stockholm, Sweden. This tour promises impressive performances throughout major European cities, including Rockefeller in Oslo, Norway (January 15), Vega in Copenhagen, Denmark (January 16), Vicar Street in Dublin, Ireland (January 20), SWG3 Galvanizers in Glasgow, UK (January 22), Gorillas in Manchester, UK (January 24), Fleeced in Bristol, UK (January 25), O2 Institute 2 in Birmingham, UK (January 26), O2 Forum Kentish Town in London, UK (January 29), Elysée Montmartre in Paris, France (January 31), Botanique in Brussels, Belgium (February 1), Paradiso in Amsterdam, Netherlands (February 3), Kantine in Cologne, Germany (February 4), Uebel & Gefährlich in Hamburg, Germany (February 7), Technikum in Munich, Germany (February 9), and Plaza in Zurich, Switzerland (February 10).
