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Post-Colonial Reflexivities Of Ni-Vanuatu Urban Youth In The Muisc Industry, Thomas Dick, Monika Stern

Thomas Dick

The urban music of “developing” countries is a privileged form of expression for young people. Across international borders, musicians identify with each other as opposed to “non-musicians”, but at the same time assert themselves as privileged messengers of the young people of their community, their town and, in some cases, their country in general. Music is often subject to the paradox between admiration and disapproval: the talented musician as star or idol, appearing in the media, wearing “in” clothes, etc, as opposed to the unstable musician who is drugged, alcoholic, unfaithful, incapable, etc.

Today, the nascent music industry in Port …