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Africa|The Song, and Rapper, Inspiring Mozambique’s Youth Uprising
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/02/world/africa/mozambique-protest-song-azagaia.html
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“Povo no Poder,” or “People in Power,” by the rap star Azagaia, has become the unofficial anthem of the protests over a disputed election.
Video
By Tavares Cebola and John Eligon
Tavares Cebola reported from Marracuene, Mozambique, and John Eligon from Johannesburg.
Jan. 2, 2025, 12:01 a.m. ET
The young men huddled around a parked car, bobbing to a beat that thumped from the speakers. It was an energetic and catchy rap ballad — one that, these days, is instantly recognizable on the streets of Mozambique.
“Povo no Poder! Povo no Poder!” the men sang along, repeating a refrain that also was emblazoned on the black T-shirts they wore in Marracuene, a town about an hour outside of Maputo, Mozambique’s capital.
“People in Power,” as the song’s title translates in English, has become the unofficial anthem of a mass uprising that has consumed this southern African nation over the past few months, with the phrase showing up on protest placards, in chants and on clothing.
Tens of thousands of Mozambicans have taken to the streets to reject a presidential election that they believe was rigged by the long-governing party, Frelimo. Daniel Chapo of Frelimo was declared the winner with 65 percent of the vote, but protesters denounced the result as fraudulent. Many have rallied behind the top opposition candidate, Venâncio Mondlane.
Chaotic demonstrations have descended into looting, vandalism and tires burning in the road. More than 250 deaths have been reported as the police and military have clashed with protesters.
Yet, Mozambicans continue to protest in the streets en masse, with many of them — particularly young people — turning to “Povo no Poder,” the prescient song by the rap star Azagaia, as a guiding light.
