THEORIZING MUSIC AS PATHWAY TO SOCIAL CONSCIOUSNESS USING FELA ANIKULAPO KUTI,IDRIS ABDULKARIM AND ZFACE IDIBIA

ABSTRACT As a potent medium for communication and cultural expression, music plays a crucial role in shaping societal values and fostering social consciousness.Thus, this study examines the role of music as a pathway to social consciousness, focusing on the works of Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Eedris Abdulkareem, and 2Baba (formerly 2Face Idibia). These artists have used their music as a platform to critique corruption, oppression, and societal injustices, shaping public awareness and inspiring activism in Nigeria and beyond. Through their lyrics, performances, and public engagements, they have redefined music as a tool for resistance and social reorientation. Drawing on theoretical perspectives from scholars like Tejumola Olaniyan and J. H. Kwabena Nketia, this research explores the intersection of music, activism, and political consciousness. Using qualitative analysis, it examines how their songs challenge power structures, provoke dialogue, and mobilize communities toward social change. The study highlights how Fela’s Afrobeat directly confronted authoritarian regimes, Abdulkareem’s hip-hop questioned socio-political dysfunction, and 2Baba’s advocacy through contemporary Afro-pop has sustained consciousness among Nigerian youths. Findings suggest that beyond entertainment, music fosters critical awareness, empowers marginalized voices, and serves as a catalyst for reform. The study reaffirms music’s enduring role in shaping public discourse and inspiring resistance, demonstrating its significance as a powerful medium for political and social transformation in African societies.