Shaping political identity through music

Blog post by Emaeyak Sylvanus, University of Nigeria, Nigeria
 
Historically, music has remained a critical unifying feature of the citizens in Nigeria's political processes, particularly during campaigns. Music has achieved this by transcending the many linguistic and ethnic barriers in modern Nigeria. The country’s February 2023 presidential election was no different with campaign songs as a medium through which political ideologies and identities were broadcast and reinforced. These memorable songs laden with cultural references served as a vehicle for political messaging that was both accessible and emotionally compelling.

Our Identities article, ‘Music and political identity salience in Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election’, delves into this phenomenon by exploring how Nigerians used music to signal and express both their political affiliations and national identity. In the analysis, we posit that music has the power to amplify political identity salience, especially when it reflects deeper cultural and socio-political values. This was evident in the 2023 presidential elections, where the campaign songs not only supported political candidates but also conveyed messages of hope, unity, and, at times, dissent.

In the atmosphere leading up to the election, Nigerian musicians and everyday citizens alike produced songs that either supported or criticized various political figures and parties. While this phenomenon is not new, the democratization of music production technologies and the rise of social media amplified its impact. Basically, these campaign songs served as a reflection of the electorate's sentiments, cleverly using familiar genres and styles, including Afrobeats to resonate with the voting public. For instance, we highlight how different campaign songs sampled pre-existing Nigerian folk and popular music or were newly composed to convey specific political messages, which not only grounded the messages in familiar cultural contexts and tropes, but also made them more relatable to the electorate.
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Also, the choice of music genre, lyrics and style of rendition all played significant roles in promoting or distorting political identity salience, as the songs became a medium through which voters could express their aspirations, frustrations and solidarity, thus making the political process more inclusive and engaging. For example, the popularisation of the term ‘OBI-dients’ during the campaign of presidential candidate Peter Obi illustrated how a musical slogan could encapsulate a political movement, rallying supporters and creating a sense of community among them.

Moreover, in a country where political engagement is often hindered by socioeconomic challenges such as poverty and illiteracy, we demonstrate how music offers an alternative avenue for political participation and expression, as well as a unique lens to understand political identity in Nigeria. Our article also touches on the broader implications of this phenomenon, suggesting that the interplay between music and political identity in Nigeria offers valuable insights into the ways by which citizens interact with and respond to political processes, as well as the dynamics of cultural identity and political engagement in other multicultural and multi-ethnic societies.

As our article illustrates, campaign songs were not just ‘background noise’; they were a powerful tool for political communication and cultural expression. They brought the electorate together, amplified their voices, and made the political process titivating and inclusive. As we listen to the campaign songs that emerged during this period, we gain insight into the electorate's aspirations, frustrations and hopes for a better country. What’s more, this interplay between music and politics reminds us that the arts continue to be a force in the ongoing dialogue about identity, diversity, inclusion and social change within democratic Nigeria and beyond.

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​Image credit: Photo by Muhammad-taha Ibrahim on Unsplash

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Read the Identities article:
Sylvanus, Emaeyak & Ezeugwu, Felicia N. (2024). Music and political identity salience in Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election. Identities: Global Studies in Culture and Power. DOI: 10.1080/1070289X.2024.2365066

Read further in Identities:
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What sociologists learn from music: identity, music-making, and the sociological imagination   OPEN ACCESS

The capital, state and the production of differentiated social value in Nigeria

On fleeing colonial captivity: fugitive arts in the occupied Jawlan