A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE THEMES OF WEALTH, ARROGANCE AND PRIDE IN FLAVOUR'S LEVELS

Abstract

Music is an important aspect of human life as it is a means to communicate human thoughts, culture, customs as well as human emotions. Like morality, music is auniversal phenomenon that can be used to Effect changes in the society. These changes can be positive or negative or both, depending on the norms of the society as well as the dispositions of the musician. For this reason, music must be critically scrutinized in order to checkmate its message and effects on the audience. This paper therefore, critiques Flavour's Levels through a textual exploration of the work and offers the reader a unique interpretation of the musician's approach as well as the effectiveness of the created imageries on the masses. Using the hermeneutic and analytical methods, the paper critically analyzes the work (song) and explores the idiosyncratic themes of wealth, arrogance and pride that subject the society, especially the Nigerian youths to ruin and early death. Therefore, the paper found that rather than showcase the beautiful cultural practices of the Igbo, Flavour arrogantly conveyed and displayed wrong cultural practices in Igbo traditional society – arrogance, pride, inordinate desire and search for quick wealth. The paper recommends that Flavour's Levels should not be seen as embodying Igbo cherished values.