Natasha Chansa Sparks Debate with Question on Whether Artists Should Compose Political Songs

[Photo Credit: Zed Arts]

By Kinyua Mwangi

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Zambian rapper Natasha Chansa has sparked an interesting debate online, after she sought to understand how musicians should behave when approached by politicians to compose campaign songs.

On her Facebook page, she posted: “Because this is a topic at hand, I’d like to ask. who are political parties supposed to go to when they want a campaign song?”

“I’m trying to understand this from the perspective of a citizen and as a musician,” she told her fans.

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This sparked a debate with her fans saying wisdom is key in such an event.

“Personal judgment must be made before an artist can agree to represent any ideology. Otherwise a witch doctor will come to u to do a chi fire song and advertise his business and u will say music is a business? U cant jst sing for anyone and anything..emushanina bwali ba eba ubo. U need discernment nd wisdom to do things in life,” Mable Mus responded (Sic).

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Leon El Matipa explained that an artist is a brand which may be consigned to oblivion solely because of the decision they choose. He explained drawing an example from Chansa who is a rapper. He had this to say:

“PNC is a brand. A brand that gained popularity through the kind of music it makes. PNC should keep in mind that choosing a side when it comes to politics becomes a problem for the fans that have a liking for the PNC through just music in general; If you pick a side, expect the fans that support the other side politically to be turned off.

“For music brands in markets that are properly developed, those usually have PR systems in place that would give informed advice to prevent a situation like we had here. Even when Kanye sided with Trump, he faced a lot of backlash from the other side. Kanye however did not side with Trump because he was paid, he sided because he believed somehow. An artist cannot just do a song just because they have been paid even if it is something they do not believe in. That's misleading your fan base and very wrong.”

However, there are those who hold that an artist has freedom to choose whichever party to work with, without being judged by fans because it is his/her democratic right.

Others held that artists should stay off political campaigns and allow politicians drum support through their manifestos.