Intermodal Synergy in Nigerian Popular Culture: The Therapeutic Nexus of Music–Comedy Fusion in Stress Relief

Abstract

This article examines how music–comedy fusion in Nigerian popular culture helps people reduce stress and understand everyday challenges. Many Nigerians face social and economic pressure, and performers now combine music, humor, storytelling, and audience interaction to create relief and shared meaning. Using a qualitative interpretive design, the study analyzed 24 live and digital performances and gathered insights from 36 audience interviews, alongside social media engagement. Guided by Episto‑Musical Pedagogy Theory (EMPT) and decolonial perspectives, the study shows how sound, humor, and cultural knowledge work together as tools for healing and learning. The findings reveal that intermodal synergy, the blending of musical and comedic elements, produces emotional release, communal participation, and cognitive reframing. Music–comedy fusion offers both immediate relaxation and deeper resilience by helping audiences reinterpret their experiences. The article proposes the Episto‑Therapeutic Intermodal Synergy Model (ETISM) to explain these processes and highlights the cultural value of Nigerian creative expression in supporting well‑being. The study is limited to selected performances and audience groups, which may not represent all regions of Nigeria.