ATT ANVÄNDA POPULÄRKULTUR SOM ROP PÅ HJÄLP: En kvalitativ studie om hur hiphop-musiken i Sverige används som identitetsskapande och verklighetsskildrande

Abstract

Hip-hop music has long been an expressive medium used by individuals from marginalized areas in Sweden to address social issues and shape their identities. Through interviews with Swedish hip-hop artists and analysis of lyrics, this bachelor thesis explores the self-expression of the artists and how they express their views of society. It focuses on how social problems are expressed and understood, as well as on how the artists view the depiction of contemporary Swedish hip-hop music in media. Additionally, the study investigates how hip-hop artists themselves perceive the significance of their music lyrics. Furthermore, I explore the impact of music on the identity of hip-hop artists from marginalized areas, as perceived by the artists themselves. To gain a comprehensive understanding, the ethnographic study employs semi-structured interviews and participant observation with four non-ethnically Swedish hiphop artists who live or have grown up in disadvantaged areas in Sweden. Additionally, text analysis is conducted with a sample of ten songs. By adopting a social constructivist perspective and drawing upon the theories of Lambros Fatsis, who views hip-hop as a research tool; more specific the author asserts that politicians and society should harness the power of music to foster a comprehensive understanding of the realities faced by marginalized communities. This thesis aims to shed light on the multifaceted dynamics within the Swedish hip-hop scene, examining the social implications, artistic perspectives, and personal experiences of the artists. This thesis is written in Swedish and concludes that the artists perceive themselves as streets politicians, actively highlighting an depicting injustices within their immediate environment. Moreover they hold the belief that they can have a greater and more direct influence on young people compared to politicians today.