BURNA BOY AS A POLITICAL ACTIVIST IN NIGERIA: A TEXTUAL REVIEW OF HIS RECORDED WORKS

ABSTRACT

Music is a powerful means of communication. It is a unique means by which feelings, views and emotions are expressed. Many musicians around the world have taken advantage of music to bring to the notice of the general public some political and social issues plaguing the society, with the aim to cause listeners to be aware of happenings and also expose the perpetrators of unhealthy policies and actions. For instance, Burna Boy - the acclaimed African Giant, has never failed to express his thoughts and feelings about governmental policies and actions in Nigeria. By assessing internet sources where Burna Boy’s recorded musical works are published and by scoring his select musical works, this study looks at some select Burna Boy’s releases on politics in Nigeria, with a view to analysing the lyrical contents. This study concludes that the youths are the back bone of a nation, and are also society’s main agents of change and progress. The positive influence of music in this sense should be appreciated and also ingrained into other cultural activities. This study recommends that up-coming artistes in Nigeria should emulate Burna Boy’s approach to lyrical composition, conscientizing the political class and arousing the political consciousness of the Nigerian people.