A muse ignored: Recognition and sustainability of the independent popular music production of the Republic of Cyprus

During the past two decades, the Republic of Cyprus (RoC) witnessed an intense music activity, specifically in the realm of its independent popular music production, that has produced and keeps producing an extensive output. This development appears to not be reflected in the country’s cultural public sphere, leading to the common misconception that RoC lacks a music industry and does not produce music. As a result, two parallel music realities exist: music for the consumers, informed by the media and the music industry of Greece, and music of the creators, developed and experienced by the musicians. This article explores this paradox by examining recent music production in RoC through song releases, surveys and interviews with active musicians. It contextualizes the independent popular musicscape of RoC within the context of postcolonial Cyprus, addressing how historical and political factors have hindered the country’s ability to claim a popular music heritage. This situation places local music creators in a precarious position, in times when the European Union seeks to support local music creation in response to technological developments like AI and music recommendation systems.