When musicians become partisan

Music is a form of expression.

Outspoken musicians have been throwing their two cents of talent into the political arena for years, backing presidential contenders, airing their views about political pundits and making their opinions known.

Music and politics have long been connected.

Political satire is one form of media that has been used by people to express their grievances against the political leadership.

Scores of music compositions are laden with political messages either for or against important political personalities in society.

Current events, particularly political developments, are continually encoded in popular song texts.

Apart from political affiliations, composers have also actively participated in political discourse through their music. For instance, in political gatherings today, music is the instruments used for canvassing support for aspirants in an election.

It is also used to pull down or tarnish the image of opponents.

Thus, musicians have brought to the fore important social, economic and political messages.

Therefore, musicians are in their own right political-cum-musical enigmas, held in awe by their supporters and can sway political fortunes in favour or against any politician in the society.

Even though politics is full of glitters, no group has thrived on singing political songs for a number of years. Some musicians who pursue a political agenda through their music have seen their careers screeching to a halt.

Careers of talented musicians Joseph Nkasa and Monte Louis, among others, plummeted after they became directly linked to political parties.

Nkasa started with the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) when hepraised late president Bingu wa Mutharika in his Mosewa Lero hit.

It was the in song at many of the former ruling, political rallies. Louis stormed to stardom when he released his single Mundibwenzere Mavoti Anga, which was a direct scathe on Mutharika for ditching UDF, the party that sponsored his presidential bid.

The artist then went back on his words with Musandibwenzere Mavoti Anga, but it was not a success.

Lucius Banda praised the United Democratic Front (UDF) through his hit Yellow.

Just recently, Dan Lu has been singing praises for president Joyce Banda’s rule and her People’s Party government in a song titled PP Yanyamuka.

And as we are getting towards the 2014 elections, chances are high the trend is set to continue.

However, questions abound on the motive behind such compositions.

Do the musicians mean what they sing? Or they just want to make money?

Musicians Association of Malawi (MAM) president Reverend Chimwemwe Mhango said artists must be allowed to express themselves in any form of art.

“Everyone has a right to freedom of expression. The world should understand that the artist has his own perspective of the world. There are some Malawi musicians who do not hide the party they belong to and as MAM we have no problems with that because we live in a democratic society where freedoms are a human right.

“At times, artists are contacted to compose a song and that’s a business opportunity that an artist cannot afford to miss. It is just the same with composing jingle promoting condoms, it does not mean you are promoting the product but doing business,” he said.

The MAM president however, cautioned that if one is not careful, they may end up losing both their reputation and their fans.

“It is a step that an artist needs to be careful with before making,” he said.

Associate Professor in the Department of Fine and Performing Arts at Chancellor College Mufunanji Magalasi also backs musicians forgetting themselves aligned to politics through their art.

“Art is opportunistic at the same time marketable. Therefore, musicians see an opportunity to write songs to do with politics. This has always been there and we cannot blame them for that,” he explained.

However, one fan of Malawian artists Mathews Mitengo holds a divergent view.

“Whenever a musician takes a side it means they have divided their fan base into two or three,” he affirmed.

On his part, celebrated musician Wambali Mkandawire said he has been in Malawi music circles for some time but he has never aligned himself with any political party.

“I have done a number of songs with political connotations but I have avoided to be personal. And honestly, I will never align myself with any political party because I believe the folly one person is for us all. And if an artist decides to do this, he has to make sure that his message is honest and please try to avoid compromising your talent,” said Wambali in an interview.