For the past seven days Nigeria has had it’s biggest national scale protest since 1993. The #EndSARS protest is a peaceful but powerful movement against police brutality in Nigeria, both generally, and specifically by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigerian Police.
In these marches, music is an important tool to keep the people going. This article ranks some of the most popular songs that would keep Nigerians going during protests.
Note: Some songs on this list don’t have an outright “protest” message. They’re here as “ginger” songs to keep the people going.
8. 2Face – No Shaking
My guy na your eye go sharpen because e be like say e don dey happen. Is it really…happening?
7. Wande Coal – Bumper to Bumper
This one is here for the nostalgia. When people are getting tired during these marches, just queue this song. You’ll see movement.
6. Burna Boy – Anybody
This one is here because of the violence. You know the song, you know the lyrics, so you can see how this could work in a protest, right?
5. 2Face- For Instance
2Face talks about how many of the things Nigerians face are swept under the carpet. Someone tell 2Face that we’re not taking that shit from the government anymore.
4. Falz – This Is Nigeria
Falz has been a loud and resounding voice for Nigerians during these protests. When he released this song two years ago as an adaptation of Donald Golver’s “This Is America”, it felt like he had captured the entire state of Nigeria in one song. It still feels like that today.
3. African China – Crisis
A song that talks about government fuck ups? Please increase the volume.
2. Fela Kuti – Beasts of No Nation
If you’re going on one of those long walks, and you have twenty-eight minutes to spare, this song is perfect. This list would never be complete without at least one Fela song. He would be proud of us.
1. African China- Mr President
This song is number one because we’re currently protesting against police brutality. There are so many things African China said in this 2006 song that are still true in today’s Nigerian society, fourteen years later. Oh..and it’s an absolute jam.
