Celebrated singer Angélique Kidjo shared her thoughts on why musicians should steer clear of endorsing political parties.
Drawing from her father’s advice in an interview on Talk to Al Jazeera, Kidjo explained, “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 go, and once they’re gone, you go with it.”
She emphasized the importance of artistic freedom, adding, “Write your music with your opinion, be free in writing your music… don’t be sold to somebody because then you no longer become the voice of the people; you become the voice of power. And when that power shifts, you’re out the window.”
Kidjo also expressed concern about the fragility of freedom, particularly in the West.
She warned, “The thing I always say to western people who have had freedom all these years is that you take it for granted… in a heartbeat it can be taken away from you. If you’ve never lost it, you don’t know how it feels.”
According to her, musicians and citizens alike must speak out when freedom is under threat, stressing, silence could ultimately lead to its loss for everyone.
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