The Impact of Africa’s Colonial Heritage up To the Present Day – Through Burna Boy’s Song „Monsters You Made”

Abstract

The central theme of the paper is the political and social role of music in the African context, with a special focus on Burna Boy’s song Monsters You Made and its message. The aim of the research is to show how music can become an instrument of social change and a mediator for important political messages. Through the example of the song, it explores how music reflects on the legacy of the colonial past, the economic and political dependency of African countries, and Western-influenced African identity and education. It also aims to explore the ways in which the artist uses music to promote resistance and political awareness, with a particular focus on the problems of the Niger Delta region and the #endSARS movement. The exploratory research is based on an examination of studies, academic articles, journals and online sources, completed by an analysis of the lyrics. The results of the research show that Burna Boy’s song Monsters You Made is not only an artistic expression but also a powerful political statement. The lyrics reflect on the traumas of African history and social injustice, making music an effective tool for promoting social change.