An Eco-Marxist Study of Beautiful Nubia’s Jangbalajugbu and Lekeleke

Abstract

This study offers an eco-Marxist analysis of two songs, “Jangbalajugbu” and “Lekeleke,”

by the Nigerian musical artist Beautiful Nubia. It argues that the artist’s work represents a

significant stylistic and thematic departure from mainstream trends within the Nigerian

and African music industries. Framed by the theoretical insights of Raymond Williams

and John Bellamy Foster, this qualitative research employs lyrical, textual, and critical

discourse analysis to investigate the selected songs. While previous scholarship has

engaged with Beautiful Nubia’s music and lyrical poetry, this paper addresses a critical

gap by examining its explicit engagement with Eco-Marxist critiques. The primary

significance of this work lies in its demonstration of how popular music can function as a

discursive tool to critique environmental degradation stemming from capitalist

exploitation. The analysis finds that Beautiful Nubia’s music transcends mere

entertainment, embedding substantive socio-political and ecological content. Consequently,

the study concludes that his songs serve as valuable resources for ethical reflection,

pedagogical engagement, and civic consciousness in Nigeria. It recommends increased

scholarly attention to Beautiful Nubia’s oeuvre as a vital corpus for understanding art’s

role in addressing pressing societal and environmental issues.