Today: August 31, 2025
Today: August 31, 2025
The average 10-year-old might be found playing video games or climbing trees. But handpan prodigy Ibni Rocks is busy headlining festivals, running a music academy, and giving handpan workshops to adults twice his age.
If that sounds wild, it is. But wild is exactly what the handpan world has come to expect from this child prodigy, who is rewriting the rules of childhood and music.
Before we talk about festivals, let’s talk about the kid running the show. Ibni Rocks started drumming at three. He was already performing with the Master Drummers of Ghana by the age of seven. At eight, he opened for The Gulls. By nine, he was touring Europe. And now, at ten, he’s running the Handpan Music Academy™ and mentoring grown musicians through artist residencies. And on top of that, he is the resident magician at Cloud Nine Magic.
When he was seven, Ibni stated: “I want my songs to be as famous as ‘Happy Birthday.’”
In 2025, Ibni’s calendar is full. His wish is closer to being fulfilled than we think.
This summer has been nothing short of electric for Ibni Rocks. He’s been performing on international stages with his handpan and a dream.
Alongside playing, Ibni teaches, organizes, and creates immersive experiences. At major music festivals like Semley, he performs as well as shares the secrets of the handpan.
While most kids are learning fractions, Ibni is teaching musicians how to sculpt sound with steel.
Ibni doesn’t treat his age like a limitation. He teaches with confidence and insight that stuns even seasoned players. His secret is a lifetime (well, a decade) of musical exploration, curiosity, and a refusal to be average.
The party’s not over. The stage lights are far from dimming.
His first album, ‘Infinity,’ is already touring Europe. It’s composed entirely by Ibni. His second album ‘Dragonfly’ is ethereal, acoustic, and full of emotional grooves that translate a 10-year-old’s soul into sound.
Ibni’s rise is meaningful. He’s shaping how we see childhood, talent, and music education. His presence in festival lineups and music libraries is creating space for something fresh. For vulnerability. For fearlessness. For wonder.
One of his favorite quotes is from Hans Christian Andersen: “Where words fail, music speaks.”
Ibni doesn’t need to say much. He simply picks up his handpan, and the room falls silent.
Ibni’s upcoming shows include:
The Handpan Music Academy™ is accepting advanced players for residencies. Beginners can sign up for future workshops. But spots vanish fast, just like Ibni’s free weekends.
Ibni Rocks has become more than a name. It’s a promise. To create. To play. To teach. To shake up the music world and to speak through music.
kamariya Weston is a marketing professional and freelance writer based in London. She has a Bachelor's degree in Marketing from the University of Westminster and has worked in the marketing industry for over seven years. kamariya westons writing has been published in various online publications, covering topics such as social media marketing, content marketing, and digital advertising. In her free time, kamariya weston enjoys traveling, cooking, and practicing photography.