ABSTRACT
This chapter examines how the use of music as a form of socio-political expression has become common among youth in Africa, especially in the last two decades. The authors used the example of Senegal where young artists came together and formed the Y’en a Marre movement to campaign against President Abdoulaye Wade’s third-term bid. Despite the enormous challenges posed by Wade and his cronies, the movement succeeded in mobilising youth to deny Wade a third term. The Y’en a Marre movement has succeeded in pitching itself as a critical and credible voice in Senegal, gaining significant international attention and recognition. It has continuously provided the space for socio-political expression that young people lacked in pre-2011 Senegal. In the last ten years, the movement has utilised hip-hop music as a form of socio-political expression to challenge the anomalies in their country and, consequently, have influenced similar movements in the West African region.
