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Introduction to Communication Research

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Research question

How does the interplay of race and gender in rap music lyrics affect listeners' communication

patterns and perceptions toward gender roles?

Rationale

Popular cultures have the power to reach and impact many people. Among the most

popular cultures today is music. Music is a way for most people to express their ideas and

perspectives. It plays many roles in social construction and as a form of entertainment, it has

a great impact on how people communicate and construct identities. According to Reza

(2018), "music is an influential communicator that plays a huge role in pertaining to

sociocultural behavior characteristics of the youth." Music provides a platform on which

people can define and reaffirm their views of the world. Music is heavily consumed by many

people around the world on a day-to-day basis, especially the youth. It is, thus, very

important to explore music and how it relates to society and the listeners.

One of the most-listened genres around the world is rap music. In the United States,

rap music began as a tool through which individuals who were marginalized based on their

race expressed themselves. Over the years, rap music has evolved into a multi-billion dollar

industry that glamorizes issues relating to drugs, sex, and violence. It is usually associated

with negative labels and stereotypes. Rap music has become a focus of many studies,

especially in regard to its relationship to ethnicity and how it has been incorporated into the

wider culture. In a communication framework, it is important to explore how identity is

constructed through and within rap music. However, a person's identity is formed by many

themes which cannot be all explored within this research. As such, the primary focus of this

research will be on gender. The research will analyze how the theme of gender is

communicated through rap music and how it influences identity formation.

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The term “rap” is used interchangeably with “hip-hop”. However, there is a great

difference between the two terms mainly because hip-hop serves as a form of lifestyle for

many people, while rap is used as a delivery style (Moody-Ramirez & Scott, 2015). Despite

the difference between the two terms, it is essential to understand the history of hip-hop as it

has had a great influence on rap music. Rap music has undergone many trends and changes

over the years but it has also maintained a constant theme focusing on "keeping it real". Rap

artists are expected to establish their credibility by ensuring authenticity. Rap artists can best

be described as storytellers in hip-hop whose main agenda is providing a clear depiction of

everyday life struggles (Moody-Ramirez & Scott, 2015). They give a voice to their

community and, thus, ensure their authenticity. The credibility of rap artists is established by

ensuring that they provide a clear description of their race and social class. A rap artist

therefore communicates to a specific audience and has great capability of influencing their

identity.

Rap music allows people in similar situations to connect. It allows for people to feel

that they belong. The research on rap music is, thus, important as it allows for a deeper

understanding of the various themes expressed, especially that of gender, and how it

influences the masses. Past research has concluded that rap music usually embodies the

theme of misogyny. It has been apparent that rap music is more likely to place women in a

position of sexual exploitation. Also, because rap music is usually linked to African-

American male identity, it raises the issues of sexism and misogyny. It is, thus, important to

research the interplay of race and gender in rap music lyrics and how it affects listeners'

communication patterns and perceptions toward gender roles.

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References

Moody-Ramirez, M., & Scott, L. M. (2015). Rap music literacy: A case study of millennial

audience reception to rap lyrics depicting independent women. Journal of Media Literacy

Education, 7(3), 54-72. https://doi.org/10.23860/jmle-7-3-5

Reza, A. M. (2018). Yeezy Taught Me: Race, Gender, Class & Identity Through Rap Music.

Open Access Theses & Dissertations. https://digitalcommons.utep.edu/open_etd/154