From Criticism to Political Activism: Hip Hop Music and the Black Lives Matter movement
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2018-07-25
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en
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This thesis investigates commentary on racism and stereotypes by three contemporary hip hop artists and their relation to the Black Lives Matter movement. It analyzes the lyrical and visual
content of three case studies in relation to protest in a supposedly post-racial society. Hip hop is
primarily known for its misogynistic lyrics and the glorification of drugs and violence, while the genre can offer highly critical pieces of music. This thesis will draw on theories by Tricia Rose, Murray Forman, Ian Peddie, W.J.T. Mitchell, Stuart Hall, Richard Dyer, Kitwana Bakari and bell hooks. The three case studies presented are "The Story of O.J." by Jay-Z from the album 4:44
(2017), "Black Skinhead" by Kanye West from the album Yeezus (2013) and "Alright" by Kendrick Lamar from the album To Pimp A Butterfly (2015). The focus will be on the following research question: How does hip hop fit in the Black Lives Matter-narrative and how do the personal perspectives of several key artists subvert racist contemporary stereotypes about African American
men?
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Faculteit der Letteren