Music as a Political Expression during Transitions in North African Guinea,

Music plays a multifaceted role in North African societies, serving as both an expression of cultural identity and a vehicle for political commentary. A mixed methods approach combining qualitative interviews with quantitative musical analysis will be employed to explore the dynamics between music and politics in contemporary Guinean society. During the studied period, we identified a significant proportion (45%) of musical compositions that directly commented on political events or leaders, highlighting the instrumental role music plays as a form of public discourse. The findings suggest that music serves as a powerful tool for both individual and collective expression in Guinean politics. Policy makers should consider the potential influence of music on public opinion and engagement during political transitions, potentially integrating musical interventions into public policy frameworks.