Q-pop as a phenomenon to enhance new nationalism in Post-Soviet Kazakhstan

Abstract

Q-pop refers to popular music that was developed by applying or combining western music composition techniques on the basis of the musical elements in Kazakhstan. Even though western and Korean pop music played an important role in the creation and development of Q-pop, reviews or research about the topic itself as well as how Q-pop changes Kazakh society have not been made comprehensively. This study aims to compensate the research gap by investigating the new popular culture phenomenon that is termed as a Q-Pop with ‘Q’ standing for Kazakhstan, and ‘Pop’ meaning popular music. The issue of the new ideology of ‘Q’ – the prefix of Q-pop will be critically examined by the recognition of new nationalism in Kazakhstan. It also discusses how the way of listening has changed in relation to the form and content of popular music in Kazakhstan. Based on this analysis, the study intends to examine Q-pop’s challenges in the present and its potential in the future.