- The #EndBadGovernance nationwide protest is still ongoing
- Like prophecies, some Nigerian musicians have sung songs on the theme of bad governance
- TheRadar curated a throwback of 7 songs on bad governance, corruption and police brutality
To be timeless is to fit into any era with the same relevance and worth —a feature many classic Nigerian songs have.
As the #EndBadGovernance nationwide protests continue to gain momentum across Nigeria, the demonstration has been found in screaming headlines, social media trends and on everyone’s lips.
It’s not Thursday, but in reference to the ongoing protest, TheRadar shares a throwback of Nigerian musicians and their songs highlighting the current plight and agitations of protesters.
Surprisingly, some of these songs are over two decades old but their themes still describe the present realities. Despite their representation of a different political era, they still find relevance today.
The ongoing protest started on August 1, with thousands of Nigerians storming the streets to demand relief from the high level of hardship and hunger in the country. It is said to end on August 10.
7 songs on bad governance, corruption and police brutality
Going down that memory lane, TheRadar compiled 7 classic songs on the theme of bad governance, corruption and police brutality.
Fela Kuti - International Thief Thief (1980)
Renowned singer and pioneer of the Afrobeat genre, Olufela Ransome-Kuti was not just a singer but one who voiced his opinions on matters that affected the country through his songs. The influential music icon was a political activist. His album International Thief Thief dealt on the theme of corruption in the political system of Nigeria. It has been 44 years since its release and it still finds relevance as a classic song on bad governance and corruption.
Majek Fashek - Police Brutality (1989)
In 1989, Majekodunmi Fasheke known as Majek Fashek, a reggae artiste released ‘Police Brutality’ off his album Prisoner of Conscience. Having lyrics like; Police brutality, Dem kill all innocent souls, Insanity, Dem loot dem shoot, Dem kill all leaders of tomorrow, Majek’s song still resonates with the masses after 35 years. Majek died in 2020 at the age of 57.
Majek Fashek’s Prisoner of Conscience
Lagbaja - Surru Lere (2000)
24 years after Nigerian musician and songwriter, Bisade Ologunde popularly known as Lagbaja wrote his song Suruu Lere, off his We album and the lyrics still find relevance in present Nigeria. The song was released in the year 2000 and spoke about the bad governance in Nigeria. Sang with a blend of Yoruba and Pidgin language, part of the lyrics sung; After many many years of waka waka for bush, eventually, we enter democracy but instead to progress, na fighting we dey fight…
African China - Mr President (2000)
Notable for his expression of political outcry and messages through his heartfelt songs, Chinagorom Onuoha popularly known as African China sang his timeless classic ‘Mr President’ in the year 2000. The 46-year-old reggae and dancehall singer never misses to sing about the harsh realities of the masses. In ‘Mr President,’ he talks about the hunger and poverty of the people —Food no dey. Brother, water no dey and our road no good talk about the NEPA people o, we no get light. Surprising as it seems after 23 years, his lyrics still fit into the plight and agitation of protesters.
Eldris Abdulkareem - Jaga Jaga (2004)
Abdulkareem is a Nigerian singer known for singing about the ills and realities of Nigerian society especially politically. In 2004, he released his track, Jaga Jaja off his third studio album of the same title. The song highlights the depreciating and bad state of Nigeria’s economy and the struggle of citizens to survive.
2baba - 4 Instance (2004)
If wishes were horses, beggars would gladly ride describes 2baba’s wish to hold a government position in Nigeria. Expressing all the innovation and development he would give his people in his 4 Instance song. The hit track released on his Grass to Grace album was dropped in 2004 under Kennis Music. He sang; For instance, say e emi Baale of Nigerians, Shey I go dey respect your own stance, Shey I go create the scenery for better to plenty, to dey make we dey give chance and instead of too dey pack the money go France.
Asa - Jailer (2007)
Bukola Elemide, Asa made her single Jailer off her Asa album in 2007. The song lyrics talk about the harsh reality of prisons in Nigeria and the unspoken brutality prisoners face. I’m in chains, you’re in chains too. You suppress all my strategies, you oppress every part of me but what you don’t know is you’re a victim too, Mr Jailer, Asa sang.
I'm not an activist, Burna Boy explains after fans called him out
Earlier, TheRadar reported that Nigerian Afrobeats singer Damini Ogulu, Burna Boy was called out by fans for not lending his voice to the ongoing #EndBadGovernanace protest in the country.
Burna Boy in a video cleared the air following criticisms suggesting that he was hypocritical with the activism messages in his songs.
