Music as Journalism: Some African Typologies

Abstract

In traditional African societies, music is deployed as a communicative device for the dissemination of information, recording of historical events, sensitization of the populace about issues that are relevant to their daily lives, as well as warning the people of impending danger. The significant role of music as a communicative/recording tool in Africa, is captioned by this paper, as music as journalism, even so, the role of music as journalism has not been adequately highlighted in extant literature. Consequently, this paper through a qualitative methodology that is hinged on historical research brings to the fore, the usefulness of music as a communicative instrument, tracing it from its origin in traditional Africa to contemporary times. The paper reveals some distinctive roles of music as a means of communication and the need for its sustenance especially in nations and in areas where mainstream media are censored.