CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE: MUSIC AND POLITICS, UNDERSTANDING MUSIC AS AN INSTRUMENT OF SOCIO-POLITICAL TRANSFORMATION AND CHANGE

Fredrick Ezeani

Abstract


Music is an interesting social phenomenon that creates a delightful appeal for all gender, race and age bracket. Music is everywhere and virtually in everything we do. Over the years, music has continued to beam as an indispensable part of human life moving with our civilization. Music and politics have enjoyed a boisterous relationship in the sense that politicians have sought to improve their fame and wider appeal through the services of music and musicians. This qualitative study is an urge to vivify the socio-political sentiments through the instrumentality of music aimed at portraying various avenues in which music serves as a potent instrument of political communication. The study employs survey and literature as its methodology. Based on the findings, it is cryptically clear that music andpolitics are human activities that are geared towards the singular goal of bettering humanity. The paper concludes by recommending that music being a rallying point for individuals in every society should be used to bridge the divides caused by political interests and foster positive change and socio-political transformation to bring about real integration in Nigeria.

 

Keywords: Music, Politics, Socio-political transformation and Change.


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