A study on the role of African musical instruments on contemporary music composition

This paper explores the role of African musical instruments in contemporary music composition, with specific focus on Nigerian art and popular music styles. The research employs a qualitative approach, combining literature review, interviews, and musical analyses. The paper discusses the historical significance of African musical instruments in Nigerian traditional music, while highlighting their cultural importance and sonic characteristics. It also analyses specific case studies of prominent Nigerian musicians and composers who have utilised African musical instruments in their compositions. The findings reveal the multifaceted role of African musical instruments in contemporary music composition, showing that the comositions serve not only as a means of cultural expression but also as a source of inspiration, innovation, and identity formation for Nigerian artistes. In addition, the research highlights the possibility for further exploration and experimentation in incorporating African instruments into global music contexts that would foster cultural exchange and create new artistic horizons. The paper constitues an important contribution to the growing body of knowledge on African musical instruments and their relevance in contemporary music composition through provision of insights into the unique musical landscape of Nigeria, especially, thus becoming a foundation for future research in this field.