What is it about?
This is an article about the original way in which Senegalese musicians used social media in order to raise Coronavirus awareness during the first months of this global pandemic. Co-written by Senegalese rapper Keyti and UK-based scholar Estrella Sendra, it sheds light on the shared features of the over twenty Covid-19 themed songs spread via social media, and the approach to this creative edutaining form of communication.
Why is it important?
This is the first analysis of Covid-19 themed songs composed by Senegalese musicians and spread via social media to raise Coronavirus awareness. Beyond the significance of this cultural and social communication practice, it is crucial to understand the emblematic role by artists in raising awareness of key health, social, economic, political and cultural issues affecting the population, with specific reference to African societies. Informed by interviews with some key musicians who participated in this collective phenomenon in Senegal, it is the first study of the creative ways in which artists are using social media to connect with local and global audiences.