Music, legal injustice, and vigilantism in Tanzania: an analysis of identified songs

This study examines the representation of vigilantism in Tanzanian music, focusing on how identified songs portray this issue. It highlights two key roles of the music: first, as a medium for critiquing legal injustice, and second, as a platform for expressing public sentiments on vigilantism, a response to perceived judicial failures. Through qualitative analysis of lyrics by prominent Tanzanian artists and drawing on Critical Legal Studies theory, the study’s findings indicate that these songs reflect the public’s disillusionment with the performance of justice institutions, which contributed significantly to their approval of vigilantism. This article underscores the need for the government to engage with the citizens’ and musicians’ expressions to strengthen the legal justice system.