In the Nigerian musical landscape, commitment and social awareness are key elements that give meaning to music and spark debate and reflection. During a recent appearance on the Honest Bunch podcast, Eedris Abdulkareem expressed his views on the current generation of artists, saying he doesn’t feel a connection with most of them due to a lack of social consciousness.
For Eedris Abdulkareem, Falz stands out as the only conscious artist of his generation, which sparked his interest in a collaboration. As a veteran of the music industry, Eedris Abdulkareem has always used his music to highlight the injustices in society. His hits such as “Mr. Lecturer” and “Jaga Jaga” have brought attention to issues such as sexual harassment in universities and socio-economic inequality in Nigeria.
Falz, for his part, has also established himself as an advocate for social justice through his music. His album “Moral Instruction” is full of didactic messages that challenge the nation on various crucial issues.
By bringing together two generations of committed artists like Eedris Abdulkareem and Falz, we see the importance of music in raising awareness, educating and inspiring social change. Their commitment to social consciousness echoes a growing need for authentic voices and artists who use their platform to advocate for just causes.
Together, they represent a bridge between the past and present of engaged music in Nigeria, and continue to inspire a new generation of artists to raise their voices for a more just and equitable society.