UNIVERSITY OF JOS

FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

CRIMINOLOGY AND SECURITY STUDIES
GYANG APOLLOS MOSES
UJ/2015/SS/0723

PROJECT PROPOSAL: Unmasking Social

Injustice Through Musical Activism: A Case
Study of Fela Kuti.

PROJECT SUPERVISOR:
MR CALEB AKINTUNDE.
 1.1 INTRODUCTION
This sociological study explores the powerful role of Nigerian musician
Fela Kuti in shedding light on social injustice through his music genre
Afrobeat. Fela Kuti, a legendary musician and political activist, utilized
his music as a platform to address various forms of social inequality and
challenge oppressive systems in Nigeria. This research examines Fela
Kuti's life, his artistic contributions, and the social and cultural context
in which he operated. By analyzing his lyrics, interviews, and the
reactions of his audience, this study aims to highlight the ways in which
Fela Kuti's music played a significant role in raising awareness about
social injustice and advocating for societal change.
Fela Kuti, often referred to as the "Black President," was a Nigerian
musician, composer, and activist who rose to prominence in the 1970s
and 1980s. Fusing elements of jazz, funk, highlife, and traditional
African music, Fela Kuti created a unique musical style known as
Afrobeat.
Fela Kuti emerged as a cultural icon during a time of political turmoil
and social unrest in Nigeria. His unique music genre, Afrobeat,
combined elements of traditional African rhythms, jazz, funk, and
highlife, creating a vibrant and politically charged sound.
However, Fela Kuti's contributions to society went beyond his music. He
fearlessly spoke out against social injustice, governmental corruption,
and human rights abuses, using his platform to inspire social
consciousness and mobilize people toward collective action. This study
aims to delve into Fela Kuti's musical activism and explore the ways in
which he addressed social injustice. Fela Kuti's lyrics were
unapologetically critical of the Nigerian government and the broader
social structures that perpetuated social injustice. This study aims to
explore the ways in which Fela Kuti's music and activism intersected,
focusing on his contributions to addressing social inequality and
inspiring social change.

1.2 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

This study aims to answer the questions of;
1. How can the study of Fela Kuti's music and activism inform current
and future efforts to combat social injustice and promote social change?
2. How did Fela Kuti's music contribute to the mobilization of social
movements and the promotion of social change in Nigeria?
3 How did Fela Kuti's music resonate with different social groups,
including marginalized communities, intellectuals, and the international
audience, in terms of raising awareness about social injustice?
4. What were the reactions and responses of Fela Kuti's audience to his
music, and how did it impact their perceptions of social injustice?

1.3 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

The research aims at:
1. Critically analyzing the study of Fela Kuti's music and activism as a
valuable resource for informing and shaping current and future
initiatives aimed at combating social injustice, and to identify potential
avenues for utilizing music as a tool for social transformation.
2. To examine how Fela Kuti's music contributed to the mobilization of
social movements and the promotion of social change in Nigeria and
beyond, by investigating its role in galvanizing activism and fostering a
sense of community and empowerment.
3. To assess the resonance and impact of Fela Kuti's music among
different social groups, including marginalized communities,
intellectuals, and the international audience, in terms of raising
awareness about social injustice and inspiring collective action.
4. To analyze the reactions and responses of Fela Kuti's audience to his
music, exploring the emotional and cognitive connections formed, and
understanding how it influenced their perceptions of social injustice and
their engagement with sociopolitical issues.

1.4 METHODOLOGY
This research will employ a qualitative approach, utilizing content
analysis of Fela Kuti's songs, interviews, and speeches. Secondary
sources, including biographies, documentaries, and scholarly articles,
will provide additional insights into the historical and cultural context
surrounding Fela Kuti's music. The study will also incorporate audience
reception analysis, examining the reactions of listeners to Fela Kuti's
music and its impact on their awareness of social injustice.

Using the following steps:

1 Content Analysis: The lyrics of Fela Kuti's songs will be analyzed in-
depth to identify recurring themes, symbols, and metaphors related to
social injustice. This analysis will involve examining the explicit and
implicit messages conveyed in his music, as well as the historical and
cultural references embedded within his lyrics.
2. Interviews and Speeches: Fela Kuti participated in numerous
interviews and delivered speeches throughout his career. These primary
sources will be examined to gain insights into his perspectives on social
injustice, his motivations for activism, and his strategies for effecting
change through his music. The interviews will be transcribed and
subjected to thematic analysis to identify key themes and patterns.
3. Secondary Sources: Biographies, documentaries, academic articles,
and other relevant sources will provide a broader context for
understanding Fela Kuti's life, his music, and the sociopolitical
landscape of Nigeria during his time. These secondary sources will be
critically reviewed to extract relevant information and to corroborate or
expand upon the primary data collected.
4. Audience Reception Analysis: Fela Kuti's music had a profound
impact on his listeners, particularly within Nigeria and across the
African continent. This study will analyze the responses and reactions of
Fela Kuti's audience to his music, focusing on their interpretations,
emotional connections, and whether his music influenced their
perceptions of social injustice. This analysis will involve surveying or
conducting interviews with individuals who have been exposed to Fela
Kuti's music and exploring how it shaped their awareness of social
issues.

1.5 CONCLUSION
These research objectives provide a clear direction for investigating the
connections between Fela Kuti's music and social injustice, exploring
the impact of his activism, and understanding the broader sociological
implications of his work. sociological aspects of Fela Kuti's music and
its connection to social injustice, aiming to generate insights and
knowledge that can contribute to academic scholarship and social
change initiatives.