Arab Ethno-pop as Seen Through the Prism of the Jordanian Youth: Recreation of Locality, Scattering Globalization, and the Triumph of Amusement

Abstract

Music preferences amongst young people provide a significant indicator for understanding their ethnic identities. When quantified and studied, the suggested marker could pose to be a substantial asset that establishes a solid understanding of local music and its role as a socio-indicator for aesthetic preference, and resembles an important aspect of cultural, and ethnic self-determination. Grounded in both historical and socio-cultural analysis, this research will study how music, as a medium, shapes and identifies the given nation’s preference in  music. The qualitative aim of the research is to explore the underlying meaning behind popular Arab music. The aim will be accomplished by utilizing a reflective terminological study based on a quantitative analysis (in the form of a questionnaire schemed to cooperative students from the ‘Yarmouk University’ Irbid, Jordan). The data attained from the questionnaire will be employed as a premise for the formulation of the results; and hence, confirming the true importance of contemporary music culture in the development of personal values and musical criteria. Focus is mainly pivoted on modern Arab pop music being interpreted as ‘ethno-pop’, and interactions found between Western pop and Arabic music will be discussed thoroughly. This conjunction will be looked at as in fact being an exchange of experiences and symbolic norms.

Keywords: ethnop-pop; musiqa al tarab, musiqa jadid, Arab culture; identity, youth,

DOI: 10.7176/JEP/11-23-04

Publication date:August 31^st 2020