IMPACT OF FELA ANIKULAPO'S AFRO MUSIC ON POLITICAL AWARENESS AMONG FANS IN CALABAR METROPOLIS

This study explores the impact of Fela Anikulapo Kuti's Afrobeat music on political awareness among his fans in Calabar Metropolis, Nigeria. The research aims to determine how exposure to Fela's music influences political consciousness and engagement in this urban setting, characterized by significant political apathy. The study adopts a qualitative research design, utilizing focus group discussions with selected participants from Calabar Metropolis. This approach allows for in-depth exploration of participants' exposure to Fela’s music, their perceptions of its political messages, and the influence of these messages on their political awareness and behavior. The findings reveal that Fela's Afrobeat music significantly influences political awareness among his fans. The majority of participants reported regular exposure to Fela’s music, identifying it as a critical tool for political education and social mobilization. The study also found that Fela’s music fosters critical dialogue and encourages civic participation, though some participants questioned the direct impact of this musical activism on tangible political change. The study concludes that Fela's Afrobeat serves as an essential cultural resource for promoting political awareness and activism in Calabar Metropolis. However, it also highlights the need for complementary strategies to translate this awareness into sustained political engagement and societal change. It recommends that policymakers, educators, and cultural leaders leverage the power of Afrobeat in political education and civic initiatives, particularly among the youth in urban centers like Calabar.