| Abstract |
"Brithop investigates rap music's politics in the 21st century United Kingdom. In what follows, I argue that this music is partly an extension of, or often a counter to, political discourses happening in other realms of British society. These rappers are essentially "talking back" (hooks 1989, see also Hutton and Burns 2020) to mainstream Britain's political discourses, as "an act of resistance, a political gesture that challenges politics of domination that would render us nameless and voiceless." (hooks 1989: 8) The rappers in this book critique the UK's more conservative narratives, and they express their relationship to Britain in the politically turbulent climate of the new century, providing valuable perspectives which can go unnoticed by those skeptical of or ignorant of hip-hop culture. Through themes of nationalism, history, subculture, politics, humor and identity, this book looks at multiple forms of politics in rap discourses from Wales, Scotland and England. It covers selected hip-hop scenes from 2002-2017, featuring rappers and groups such as The Streets, Goldie Lookin Chain, Akala, Lowkey, Stanley Odd, Loki, Speech Debelle, Lady Sovereign, Shadia Mansour, Shay D, Stormzy, Sleaford Mods, Riz MC and Lethal Bizzle. What follows investigates how rappers in the UK respond to the "postcolonial melancholia" (Gilroy) of post-Empire Britain. In contrast to more visible narratives of national identity in Britain, Brithop tells a different, arguably more important, story"-- Provided by publisher. |
