A Critical Pragmatic Analysis of some Selected Songs of Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba (MohBad)

Abstract

This study investigates a critical pragmatic analysis of some selected songs of Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba (MohBad). Specifically, the study focuses on Speech Act analysis of the selected songs and ascertains the ways speech acts are expressed in these songs. Two research questions: What speech acts are represented in Mohbad’s songs? And to what extent are the tenets of speech acts expressed in Mohbad’s Songs? guided this study. The theory of the Pragmatic Act introduced by Jacob Mey (2001) is used as the theoretical foundation of the study. The research is categorized as descriptive qualitative research. The data for the study consists of selected songs of Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba: ‘Ask About Me’, ‘Feel Good’ and ‘Peace’. These songs were selected based on the complex and multifaceted narratives which mirror the songwriter’s life and struggles. The songs’ lyrics are made available and readily accessed from music streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube for lyric references. The findings of the study reveal that the lyrics of Aloba’s songs show a variety of speech acts such as assertions, declarations, interrogatives, expressive utterances and commission, all of which help reveal his journey from hardship to fame and how he accomplished acceptance, his challenges and resilience, his defiance and self-assuredness; and his boldness in engaging his listeners. These have revealed the depth of meaning and intention of the songwriter beyond the lyrics of the songs.