Musical activism is simply the act of standing up for something greater and beneficial to the common good through one’s music. The lyrics, the sound, the very act of making the music itself could stand for defiance against the forces holding us down or back. The most outspoken musical activist of the Nigerian military regime was Fela Kuti.

In my humble opinion, there is no Nigerian musician who is as internationally renowned, or as notorious as Fela Anikulapo Kuti is. It could be said that he had defiance against authority in his blood as he was born to activist parents-his father being Rev. Israel Ransome-Kuti who was vital in establishing the Nigerian Union of Teachers and Students and his mother Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, an educator who led several revolutionary protests for the right of women including voting rights in 1947. Being raised in that background, I can see why he grew into such a rebel.

I recently listened to his Zombie and the depth of his defiance marvelled me. Those were fighting words, words that sparked riots, caused revolutions, and yet, seem so simple. He continually made himself a thorn in the side of the government, and they hated him for it.

And he did not do it with tasteless music either: his sound was both revolutionary and groundbreaking, becoming the inspiration for many other musicians who came after him. He was, perhaps, the father of the Afrobeat sound we take for granted today. He was learned, having attended Trinity College of Music. He was multifaceted-played the drum, the guitar and the piano.





The storming and destruction of his Kalakuta Republic commune by the military after the release of his Zombie album in 1976 were just some of the many times he was victimised and suffered for his music. He was beaten and jailed more than 200 times,

As young people today, what is our excuse? Every year score of albums are released in this country and all seem to be along the same themes: the mad rush for money, women and drugs. It is only a handful of Nigerian musicians today who are making meaningful music, and fear and the overwhelming majority mute their voices.

There is no medium of entertainment that reaches the masses like music does, the power to speak revolution to millions with one song is one that we should not take lightly, and one that our musicians need to start exploring again.

Our nation is on the brink, with bad leadership, economic hardship and security uncertainty. There is no better time for taking a stand, but not everyone is designed to protest in the streets carrying placards. Release that album you have been afraid to publicise. Push yourself. Be a voice. Let your music say the words that you cannot.

Who knows, maybe the next Fela is just being held back by doubt and fear.

Who knows, it might be you.
http://www.growth.ng/call-musical-activism-fela-example/

true talk..... what we call music today is nothing but garbage.......