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ጩኸት ብቻ (ČUKÄT BƎČA): ‘JUST NOISE’ POPULAR MUSIC IN POST-2005 ADDIS ABEBA AND ITYOṖIYAWINNÄT [Abstract ID: 1214-02]
This paper attempts to show the role of art in navigating new forms of identities and its significance in tracing changes that youth go through in Addis Abeba. Through an analysis of the popular music scene, I will argue that the industry is emblematic of deep socio-cultural and political chaos in contemporary Addis Abeba through a discussion of two key features of the music industry, namely, nationalism ‘ኢትዮጵያዊነት Ityoṗiyawinnät’ and poor aesthetic quality, identified as ‘ጩኸት ብቻ Čukät Bǝča just noise’. Thus, this study assesses the way young urban dwellers maneuver societal expectations as well as economic and political conditions to shape and re-define their identity.