On the 20th of October 2020, Nigerians watched on Instagram Live as peaceful protesters were shot at by security forces, on orders from the people we had entrusted to protect us- the Nigerian government.
In remembrance of this fallen heroes, Nigerian artistes using music as a tool of protest, throwback to these lives lost on 20-10-2021. What happened that night is never forgotten.
These four Nigerian artists made songs about the #EndSARS protest:
1. 20.10.2020 Burnaboy
Burna Boy released this song on the 23rd of October, following the dark events of the 20th of October, 2020. On the track, he sings, “20th of October 2020, you carry army go kill many youth for Lekki. Na so water oo water run away my eyes”. He closes out the song with the sounds of gunshots and pleas of innocent people begging for their lives as they were shot at.
2. 20.10.20 by Chike
Released on the 6th of November 2020, this song gave a detailed account of the events that happened during the protests and also shines a light on the the twisting of facts by politicians after.
3. This Fight by Dwin The Stoic
This fight was released on the 4th of November 2020, it is a sweet but gut wrenching eulogy honouring the people who lost their lives in the massacre. In the song Dwin sings about the hope and plans people had, the lives that were lost, and how our spirit won’t be shaken regardless.
4. We Don Tire by Orezi
“We Don Tire” is a song that describes the exhaustion the citizens of Nigeria feel on a daily basis.. He speaks about the false promises made by politicians before getting into power. He also spoke about the killings at the Lekki massacre. “Until our leaders stop looting the people’s wealth, Nigeria can never be great” this.