EXPANDING CONTEXTUAL REFERENCES OF SONGS IN PERFORMING ARTS AS TOOL FOR SOCIETAL EDUCATION: A PROPOSAL

Abstract

In contemporary times, the performing arts are becoming a strong tool for tutelage as songs play indelible roles in shaping the society. Contextual reference to certain songs is gradually losing its relevance while some seem to be myopic for worldview. The purpose of this study is to introduce re-contextualization of mythological content of songs beyond the traditional norms. It also proposes textual augmentation, multilingual texts and multi-stylistic approach to musical performances to cover larger audience and educate them with the message of the song. This paper is hinged on the law of flexibility, liberality and contextuality propounded by Idamoyibo (2010); its relevance flexibility and diversity in usage of words in relation to languages and context. This theory was further explored to achieve the set purpose of the study. The researcher adopted a purposive sampling for the methodology whereby he selected ‘Jangbalajugbu’ by Beautiful Nubia and ‘We ki o mo’ by kehinde Oretimehin as yardsticks to elicit re-contextualization of mythological background, textual augmentation and change in performance styles. The paper reveals that these elements serve as tools to widen contextual reference in song performances which in turn, helps to capture and educate more audience in the society. The study concludes that the wider the context in which a song is composed or performed the more the audience’s interest to learn from the music. The paper recommended that composers and performers should adopt the usage of the set model to upsurge their creative inclination in order to gain wider coverage of audience with their works.