Rap and cultural change: Authenticity and hybrid identities in the music of rappers of African descent in Finland

Abstract

In many European countries, the different local rap music scenes were originally founded by marginalized ethnic minority youths, and in academia, the genre is often discussed as resistance music that these youths employ to challenge oppressive cultural hegemonies. Thus, the focus in academic research has often been on rappers who are openly political and critical towards their societies in their music. However, as rap has become highly popular and influential within global youth culture, many academics have become increasingly concerned about its messages, arguing that commercial rap with apolitical, materialistic and self-obsessed lyrics have replaced rap’s anti-hegemonic resistance messages. This article challenges the idea that the majority of contemporary rap music is either harmful or insignificant and that only openly political and socially critical rap is worthy of academic praise. Instead, by focusing on the music of Finnish rappers of African descent, this article examines how rap music by marginalized ethnic minorities can challenge oppressive cultural hegemonies and foster cultural change because of an element that unites all rap: the central role of authenticity.

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