Nigeria’s Afrobeats resonates throughout Africa, even in the West, as young people chant and dance to the rhythms of Burna Boy, Wizkid and Tems.
Yet when it comes to the presidential election on February 25, when Africa’s most populous nation’s democracy votes for a successor to President Muhammadu Buhari, its singers have gone mute.
Nigeria typically makes news because of the Boko Haram conflict and extremist organizations in the northeast.
Yet the nation is also the continent’s biggest economy and the origin of a musical genre that is booming worldwide.
Afrobeats giants Burna Boy and Tems have won Grammy Awards.
Tickets to watch Wizkid and Davido in some of the world’s finest concert arenas are often sold out.
While others rack up millions of views on TikTok and cooperate with American popstars like Chris Brown, Justin Bieber and Drake.
These celebrities are adored as much as Nigerian politicians are reviled.
The latter is considered by many Nigerians as hopelessly corrupt and responsible for the country’s, ills from a shortage of energy to inadequate healthcare and education.
Over 40 per cent of registered voters are under the age of 35, although the ruling party’s candidate, Bola Tinubu of the APC is 70 and the major opposition leader Atiku Abubakar of the PDP is 76.
“Afrobeats stars have a big effect on the young. The presidential contenders don’t,” claimed Oris Aigbokhaevbolo, a music journalist.
Yet, he adds: “Major performers do their best to avoid politics, particularly (in) this presidential race.”
The Watershed moment
Afrobeats was created in the 2000s, influenced by a variety of influences, including the music of renowned Fela Kuti, who battled his whole life against Nigeria’s corrupt government, and American pop.
“Back in time, Afrobeats performers were more political. But when Afrobeats became a huge business, lyrics altered,” said Aigbokhaevbolo.
Until recently, songs were all about capitalism or “Naija”, which glorifies wealth and luxury automobiles, or about cheesy love and female conquests.
The major youth-led #EndSARS demonstrations that shook the nation in late 2020 have altered everything.
“EndSARS was a historic event,” remarked the journalist.
SARS was a notorious anti-robbery unit that became a symbol of police abuse. It spawned a movement seeking a better government.
Numerous Afrobeats singers spoke out in favour of #EndSARS, either on social media or during marches themselves.
Burna Boy bought large billboards with the words #EndSARS on them.
Youthful Touch
“That disturbs me. They were supporting EndSARS and now none of them contacts the young to collect their PVC or promote the candidate of the youth, Peter Obi,” said Ifiy, a 30-year-old Nigerian at a recent rally for the candidate.
Obi, a 61-year-old former state governor, has the support of many young people, including those who were part of EndSARS. He has become a credible challenge to Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar.
Aside from P-Square, twin artists who gained prominence in the 2010s with their title “Alingo”, there are few musicians that openly support Obi, according to Dirisu.
They avoid entering into politics, Aigbokhaevbolo stated, because “in Nigeria, you don’t want to have enemies in authority”.
On the other side, politicians need Afrobeats. “You can’t campaign without music in Nigeria,” remarked Aigbokhaevbolo.
At rallies, the hottest Afrobeats tracks are blasted through loudspeakers, frequently without any copyright agreements
Popular songs give much-needed entertainment to energize the masses of supporters or individuals hired to be there before candidates arrive.
Music also provides politicians with a more personal touch, and even a younger touch, like Tinubu, who became viral when he began dancing to the hit song “Buga” by Kizz Daniel.
Several musicians who are still unknown abroad exploit the chance of rallies to generate money, such as Portable, who performed for the governing party, or Timi Dakolo for the opposition.
Criticised on social media, both answered that they accept cash wherever they can get it.
