Turkey is not doing great in terms of income inequality and poverty, especially when compared with the other OECD countries. However, currently, there are not many popular songs -songs that are often played on mainstream radios- about poverty or inequality.

It is not that Turkish music does not have a tradition of producing songs about poverty and inequality. It does. Specifically, in the 1970s, there were a lot of songs about poverty and inequality.

Why are there no popular songs about inequality anymore? Why do we get to hear about the rich but not the poor in Turkish popular music? Why do we see music videos where the rich having fun driving fancy cars rather than the everyday struggle of the middle-class? What are some examples?

The short answer: declining class consciousness and the rise of the second dimension politics. Turks are not concerned with inequality as much as they are with other political issues. This trend is not unique to Turkey, of course. The decline of class conciousness and class politics affect the production of every form of art in many places. For those who want to learn more about the history of inequality and Turkish popular music, here is the link to the lecture slides.

On the right, you will also find a Spotify list of Turkish popular songs about poverty and inequality which I will continuously update. You will be surprised when you hear the songs. It is not all Cem Karaca, Grup Yorum, or Ahmet Kaya. Believe it or not Ajda Pekkan and Serdar Ortaç have songs about inequality/poverty too!