Popular
Photo by: Robert Okine

Fans Want Davido's 'FEM' To Be Nominated For the 'Social Change' Grammy

During the #EndSARS movement, Davido's 'FEM' became an unlikely rally battle cry. Now, Nigerians want to see the song get an accolade for its role in one of Nigeria's most talked about protests in recent time.


Earlier this year, The Recording Academy announced that it would be releasing new categories under its award sections, and one of these songs included was for Best Song for Social Change.

Davido fans have caught on to this change. And they are now pushing for "FEM" to be one of the songs nominated. In a recent Twitter frenzy, a bevy of Davido fans are saying that the Nigerian Afrobeats singer deserves the award for his song, which became an unexpected call to arms for the #EndSARS coalition. According to the Academy, the determining criteria for the "Best Song for Social Change" category would be based on the principle that the song inspired some form of social good that benefitted the general public, and Nigerian Twitter seems to think Davido's controversial record fits the bill. Many people are taking their opinions a step further by submitting their votes to the Recording Academy's website in droves.

Following the tragedy of the October 20, 2020 protests at Lekki toll gate in Lagos, Nigeria, the #EndSARS conversation continues to leave a bitter taste in the mouths of many Nigerians. The movement sparked global outrage after a group of young people across Nigeria took to the streets calling for the end of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). During this time, Davido's "FEM," became the unanimous battlecry for the social justice initiative.

The word "FEM" translates into "shut up," and although the "Stand Strong" singer did not intend for the song to be linked to the campaign, according to his statement to NME, it essentially became a voice for the mega rallies for justice. Later that year, the ongoing protests, which started out mildly, triggered members of SARS to respond with lethal force and eventually culminated to deaths at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos.

On the wide spectrum, while many Nigerians pointed out that the song might have been recorded in an unrelated cause, a multiple fans agree that it played an unforgettable part in the history of one of Nigeria's biggest protests in recent time. In addition to his voice being associated with the political outcry, Davido also joined protesters to denounce the effects of SARS on the lives of Nigerian youth in multiple vivd photos shared online at the time. Below are some of the reactions that some Twitter users had to the recent development.

Popular
Photo by Yeshiel/Xinhua via Getty

Still No Clear Answers Around Lindani Myeni's Murder

Lindani Myeni's remains have finally landed in South Africa following the former rugby player's gruesome murder by Honolulu police on April 14. The recently released 911 call recordings revealed more astounding details around his death.

The bodily remains of slain former South African rugby player Lindani Myeni landed on South African soil on Saturday, May 1. The 29-year-old husband and father of two arrived to a heartbreaking scene at the O.R Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. In a strong message directed at the Honolulu police, his widow Lindsey Myeni, once again, called for justice to be meted out. Meanwhile, the recently released 911 call tapes revealed more details that lead to Myeni's death.

Keep reading...Show less

get okayafrica in your inbox

news.

Lindani Myeni's Remains To Be Repatriated to South Africa on Freedom Day

American officials have reportedly released the body of former South African rugby player Lindani Myeni, who was shot dead in an alleged case of police brutality in Hawaii.

Latest Footage Further Reveals Senselessness Behind Lindani Myeni's Death

Hawaiian police have released graphic body camera footage which reveals that there was no reasonable justification for the killing of South African Lindani Myeni by police last week.

AKA Slams Police Violence Amid the Ongoing University Student Protests

South African rapper, AKA, has called out the South African police for firing at students during ongoing fees protests at the University of the Witwatersrand.

Police Kill One Person Amid Ongoing Student Protests in South Africa

Amid continued protests against the financial exclusion of students from Wits University, the South African police have reportedly killed one person, 35-year-old Mthokozisi Ntumba.

popular.

#EndSARS: UK Parliament Deliberates Sanctions Against Nigeria

The UK government is considering imposing sanctions on Nigeria after receiving petitions from #EndSARS protestors and supporters of the movement.