‘E Be Like Say Dem Swear for Me!’: Identity, agency and queerness in selected Temmie Ovwasa’s songs

Abstract

Spaces are central to identity-formation and public representation, and play key roles within narratives on queerness and self/other portrayal. In this study, focus is placed on popular culture with specific interests in the discography of Temmie Ovwasa, a self-outed queer-identifying non-binary Nigerian music artiste. I contend that Ovwasa’s songs represent a deconstruction of the homophobic and misogynist space that hip hop culture vaunts. Their discography further signals a disruption of heterosexual normativity within Nigeria’s contemporary popular music. Purposively selected songs are analysed with the application of the tenets of queer theory and critical discourse analysis. Close attention is paid to the thematic preoccupation of the songs as well as queer identity and agency. While there is a recognition of the limitations which a chronically homophobic milieu enforces on their agency, Ovwasa also acknowledges the redemptive role which their popularity and visibility through their discography enables in the politics of representation and conquering of hither-to disabling spaces.