Beninese music icon Angelique Kidjo has spoken out on the trend of artists using their songs to endorse politicians or political parties.
The Grammy-winning music icon explained that she doesn’t make music for politicians because political powers are ephemeral, emphasing that an artist who make music for politicians might lose relevance after a regime change.
Speaking in a recent episode of the Female Poets Society podcast, Kidjo urged her colleagues to be voices of the people and not voices of the power.
“My father always used to say to us, especially to me as a singer, do not write music for any political party because they come and they go, and once they’re gone, you go with it.
“Write your music with honesty and freedom. Don’t sell your voice to anyone, because once you do, you stop speaking for the people and start speaking for those in power — and when that power changes, you’re discarded,” she cautioned.
