MALAWIAN ARTISTS ON POLITICS

Music has been a powerful tool in politics since the 80’s. Artists have been using their music in order to influence change. As the May 21 2019 polls slowly approaching the warm heart of Africa has witnessed the activeness of local urban artists in local politics and this has been greatly appreciated by local citizens.

2014 tripartite election marked the beginning of urban music intervention into Malawi’s politics when one of the presidential candidates Joyce Banda of Peoples Party (PP) included an urban artist in his campaign trail by the name of Fredokiss.

The ghetto king Kong composed a song titled “Odi uko!” which comprised of rap and dancehall artists. This influenced youths to participate since they were inspired by their own idols.

“I was greatly inspired seeing the urban artists doing a song for a political party. They influenced most of us as youths since it was a thing that has been never done before.” Wongani Nzima, one of the youths in Blantyre said.

This year, many urban artists especially from the genre of hip hop have personally involved themselves into politics.

The Ghetto King Kong, Fredokiss together with urban music promoters, Mikozi encouraged youths to go and register as voters.

Fredokiss is now Aspiring Independent Member of Parliament for Blantyre City South Constituency.

Apart from Fredokiss, other artist such as Tay Grin who crowned himself as Nyau King is now Aspiring Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Member of Parliament for Lilongwe City Centre Constituency.

“Youth involvement in politics is ideal for political development. Obviously, if urban artists are openly taking part in politics it will influence a lot of youth,” Gift Kamwala one of the person who follow politics comment on the matter.

Malawi will hold its second tripartite elections on May 21, 2019 and on Tuesday the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) launched the campaign period which will run for 60 days.