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Paper short abstract:

Ranging from going into the streets to using music, youth protests in various ways. This paper interrogates music in Nigeria by analysing the works of Folarin Falana (popularly known as Falz) as forms of rhythmic opposition and youth protest.

Paper long abstract:

Music serves two main functions in politics: (a) to support those in power (i.e. "solidarity melodies"), and (b) to protest against those in power (i.e. "rhythmic oppositions"). While youths are crucial in both renditions, this paper focuses on rhythmic opposition that not only offers youths a platform to challenge those in government in a perpetual manner - as music can outlive the musician and what s/he sings about - but also to frame, emphasis and project aspects of governance that is considered a malaise by the singer. Yet, even when youth go to the street in protest, they are accompanied by (such) music or a melodious chanting. Thus, rhythmic opposition serves as both a temporary and permanent forms of youth protest against power. Using the example of the works of Folarin Falana (popularly known as Falz) located within a Nigerian context, this paper analyses the extent to which music serves as a potent form of youth protest. By highlighting and analysing Falz's "This is Nigeria" and "Yakubu" (where he featured Olanrewaju Ogunmefun whose stage name is Vector), which have not only been democratised but made available on digital platforms, the paper will demonstrate how musical renditions can function as a tool for reimagining the tropes, concerns, and outcomes of youth protests in a multiethnic country like Nigeria. The paper is an aspect of a broader study of music in contemporary Nigeria and Ghana.