The Mutual Influences of African Music and Politics

2016 Africa History and Culture  
The article aims to look at the many genres of African music in a political context. The significance of music in African political movements is illustrated by a number of examples from Kenya, Senegal, Mali and other countries over the decades. Furthermore, political themes brought up by modern artists of African ancestry in their songs are discussed.From the analysis, music perhaps does not create political change as a solitary force; rather, it stirs a community into action, expresses and
more » ... s attention to oppression, and bridges the divide between people of different cultures. In times of conflict and uncertainty, culture is radicalised. Artists develop new muscles, and events radiate a higher sense of purpose. Music and artists descending from Africa suggest many examples of such phenomenon and its power in a political context.
doi:10.13187/ahc.2016.1.4 fatcat:e7vh5vnfandonnwu3cuvqlozbu