Journal of Development Communication And Applied Theatre

This study explores the epistemology of pro-democratic poetics enshrined in popular Nigerian musical narratives, by analyzing African China’s “Mr. President” (2006) and Eedris Abdulkareem’s “Emilokan” (2022). Both songs accentuate civic angsts and political appraisals that transcend beyond entertainment, functioning as dialectics of democratic consciousness. While “Mr. President” presents a lyrical petition against systemic corruption, insecurity, and neglect of basic welfare, “Emilokan” challenges elite-driven narratives of entitlement and probes the contradictions of political succession rhetoric in true democracy. The study adopts the maxim of “molue-ism” as a concept with the aim to unearth the motive that shapes these artistes concepts of democracy, equity and justice, as well as social development in democracy. Through content and contextual analysis, the study demonstrates how Nigerian popular musical narratives treats troop of democratic ineptitude through their performative popular styles and rhetorical poetics deployed in their messages. The study situates these songs within Nigeria’s broader musical tradition of resistance, arguing that their epistemic value lies in their ability to crystallize collective knowledge about governance and civic responsibility. Ultimately, this study accentuates the relevance of popular music as a catalyst for political consciousness, resistance to democratic deficit, and mediation between the citizens and state for social transformation in Nigeria.

Open Full Text (PDF)