African youths are turning to music as a tool for activism, using music’s universal appeal to demand better governance and social change.
By Bonface Orucho
African musicians are leveraging the growing global popularity of their music to advocate for better governance and social change.
From Kenya to Nigeria, Tanzania to Uganda and Zambia, a rising wave of youthful musicians is building on the legacies of iconic figures such as Fela Kuti and Brenda Fassie to deliver messages of activism and demand improved governance.
“Music should serve a bigger purpose beyond entertainment,” explained Polycarp Mutugi, also known as Codedrap. Codedrap is just one of a number of Kenyan artists using music as a tool to advocate for better governance.
According to Simakando Silongwa of Kwame Nkrumah University in Kabwe, Zambia, the use of music for political purposes has deep historical roots across Africa.
“In Zambia, Kenneth David Kaunda was one of the leaders of the freedom fighters who pursued independence through non-violent yet relentless struggle. Kaunda embraced music as one of the vehicles for disseminating information to his people,” he explained in an article published in the International Journal of Political Science.
African music continues to gain global recognition, with genres like Afrobeats, Amapiano, and Afro-fusion captivating audiences globally thanks in large part to streaming services that make it easier for African musicians to distribute their music and social media that make the music more discoverable.
The latest Spotify data, for instance, reveals a remarkable 28% increase in global streaming of these genres in 2024, with tracks such as ‘Santa’ showing the dynamic versatility of Afrobeats, while ‘Calm Down’ cemented its universal appeal, resonating with listeners worldwide.
Released in April 2024, “Santa” is a track produced by Jamaican producer Rvssian and featuring Puerto Rican singer Rauw Alejandro alongside Nigerian artist Ayra Starr. It has amassed nearly 600 million streams on Spotify. Meanwhile, Rema’s 2022 hit “Calm Down” remains a global streaming sensation, with its Spotify streams nearing 640 million to date.
Many young musicians are harnessing this wave of global interest to call out issues ranging from good governance to political accountability.
In Kenya, youth involvement in governance has been rising since 2020, culminating in countrywide anti-government protests in 2024. Citizens, led by the younger generation, opposed controversial government reforms that would have resulted in tax hikes.
Although much of the street action has since subsided, the youth continue to push for better governance through more creative avenues, including music.
According to Alex Nyagah, a Nairobi-based youth leader at the University of Nairobi, “there has been an awakening of youth involvement in governance in the country.”
“Almost all forums where dominating discussions were about non-political matters have changed. Youth are discussing government policies, challenging political appointments and putting the government to check,” he explained.
“You board a bus to town and throughout the journey you will hear discussions driven by young people about the need for better governance,” he added.
The 24-year-old Mutugi recently released a track titled ‘Stop Abductions,’ a direct call to the government to end the unlawful arrest of youth activists.
“Stop Abductions was inspired by the alarming increase in youth abductions in Kenya. These actions violate basic human rights and create a climate of fear. The song calls for justice, accountability, and the protection of every Kenyan’s freedom,” he told bird story agency.
Kenya’s January 2025 State of National Security report revealed a 44% increase in kidnappings and abductions in Kenya between September 2023 and August 2024. The targeted, forceful arrests and disappearances of mostly youth activists have been the subject of a recent public outcry. Music has been seen as one way to combat the rising trend.
This use of music for social and political ends is evident elsewhere too. In neighbouring Tanzania, musicians like Emmanuel Munisi, popularly known as ‘Nay wa Mitego,’ have frequently clashed with authorities over politically charged music.
In his track ‘Nitasema’, for instance, Munisi raps:
“Today, you’re guaranteed safety when you leave home / But you’re not guaranteed of getting back home safely / People are being abducted, people are disappearing, people are getting shot, but no one is charged.”
In a December interview with The Guardian, he highlighted the impact his music is creating, noting that “people in power are beginning to know how powerful music can be.”
Still in the East African region, Uganda’s Robert Kyagulanyi, alias ‘Bobi Wine,’ is perhaps the most prominent revolutionary artist using music to advocate for better governance.
His influence has garnered global attention, including being featured in a 2022 documentary, Bobi Wine: The People’s President, which chronicles his use of music to denounce corruption and champion democracy in Uganda. Distributed by the National Geographic Documentary Films, it was nominated for ‘Best Documentary Feature Film’ at the 2024 Oscars in the US.
This trend can be spotted across many countries on the continent with diverse groups embracing various music styles to drive change. Nigerian singer Asa, for example, uses her 2016 reggaeton track “Fire on the Mountain” to call out unaccountable leaders.
She says, “Oh Lord, I’ve been very greedy / I worshiped money, and wouldn’t help the needy / Their pains just didn’t move me / What am I and who have I become?”
While many artists face censorship, political backlash, and even threats to their lives. The digital age offers hope with platforms like YouTube and TikTok allowing artists to circumvent traditional gatekeepers, ensuring their voices reach a global audience.
“If the momentum is sustained, the long-term result is a democracy where young people are at the heart of new policies because their voice will be too loud to be unheard. We will also certainly see more youth leaders rise to positions of power and leadership,” Nyagah explained.
Africa’s youth, making up 60% of the continent’s population, are set to comprise 42% of the world’s youth by 2030. Yet, leadership remains out of touch with this youthful majority.
According to the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI), population dynamics vary across the continent, but in most countries the median age is less than 20 years. However, two-fifths of African leaders are over 70—a striking representation gap.
However, according to Mutugi alias Codedrap, “music will continue playing a pivotal role in shaping public opinion and holding leaders accountable in Africa.”
“With more artists using their platforms for advocacy, I see music becoming an even more powerful force for change across the continent,” he explained.
bird story agency
African youths are increasingly using music as a tool for activism to demand better governance and social change. Musicians from countries like Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda are inspired by icons such as Fela Kuti and Brenda Fassie to deliver powerful messages advocating for improved governance. The universal appeal of African music, especially genres like Afrobeats and Afro-fusion, amplified by streaming services and social media, has helped musicians reach a global audience, enabling them to address issues of political accountability and social justice.
Artists like Kenya's Polycarp Mutugi (Codedrap) and Tanzania's Nay wa Mitego use their music to challenge government policies and highlight societal problems. For instance, Mutugi’s “Stop Abductions” addresses unlawful youth arrests in Kenya, while Munisi's "Nitasema" critiques abductions and shootings in Tanzania. Similar efforts are seen across the continent, with Uganda's Bobi Wine, who uses his music to denounce corruption, being featured in a documentary that gained international recognition.
Despite facing censorship and political backlash, the digital age enables artists to circumvent traditional barriers, using platforms like YouTube and TikTok to reach a broader audience. This activism comes amid a growing youth population facing an underrepresentation in political leadership. As more musicians use their art to advocate for change, their influence is expected to swell, potentially leading to greater youth involvement in governance and leadership across Africa.
