End SARS: Songs that Address Police Brutality in Nigeria

For many years now, protests have been channeled through music. From the Afro-beat of the 70s to the 80s and 90s, artistes have continuously explored their arts to address societal ills, which include police brutality.

While Nigeria continues to struggle with extrajudicial killings of HER unarmed citizens by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), musicians have turned to their form to express grief and rage.

As eelive.ng reported yesterday (Sunday, October 4, 2020), the demand for an end to SARS, a notorious police unit that has since been unleashing mayhem across the country, dominated social media activities.

Many Nigerians took to their social media pages to list the allegations of extra-judicial killings, wanton arrests, and dispossession of properties through physical assault and other intimidation tactics against SARS.

Although, some music stars like Wizkid broke their silences on police brutality in the country; others have explored their arts to address the matter.

Below is a list of the songs:

Police Brutality –Majek Fashek

In the 80s, if one wanted a comprehensive review of reggae music’s relevance on a global scale, one wouldn’t have done better without laying hands on Prisoner Of Conscience, which is unarguably Majek Fashek‘s breakout album.

Although not only are music enthusiasts decades away from that time, they are also generations away; the seventh track of the body of work was named after one of the most trending issues in Nigeria today, Police Brutality.

In this song, Majek was able to combine his infectious reggae harmonies, his emotive performance, as he narrated in detail the societal ill.

Despite being released decades ago, Police Brutality remains timely than ever.

Beasts of No Nation –Fela Anikulapo-Kuti

In this song, Afro-beat pioneer, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti sang his return from prison, where he had served two years from a five years prison sentence.

While narrating his experience in the prison, the music legend dwells on how human right has now become an endangered tenet, as he described Nigerian policemen as wild dogs chasing after innocent youths.

This Is Nigeria –Falz

Rapper Falz, in This is Nigeria, addressed police brutality, amongst other challenges everyone is familiar with in the country.

Although the track and video is a cover version of US performer Childish Gambino‘s This is America; it painted the exact picture of police brutality.

Alagbon Close -Fela Anikulapo-Kuti

Fela is one artiste whose songs dominates this life, but it’s fine.

In Alagbon Close, the music legend expressed his displeasure to how some people still choose to act like they are not humans and misuse the authority given to them all in the name of performing their duty. The people Fela was referring to in the song, were men of the Nigeria Police force.