“KNOW WHAT I’M SAYIN’?”: ADVOCATING HIP-HOP AS A PRIMARY SOURCE FOR HISTORICAL SCHOLARSHIP

<p>Rap, hip-hop’s most characteristic element, evolved from cultural practices combining in New York and spread across the United States in the latter half of the twentieth century. This thesis argues in favor of the use of rap as primary source material in future historical research. Authenticity has always surrounded hip-hop, making rap a window into artists’ perspectives. Storytelling traditions in rap’s roots allow for fiction’s use as a tool to discuss reality in lyrics. To demonstrate rap’s strengths as a primary source, the thesis examines Let’s Get Free, dead prez’s 2000 debut album. The song “They Schools” is dissected section-by-section to exemplify rap’s potential for lyrical depth to discuss complex topics. Finally, the album’s overarching themes of race, revolution, and identity reinforce that potential, displaying dead prez’s worldview and complicating our understanding of history.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts - History

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

History

Year dc:date.available

2024

Author dc:creator

• Smith, Christopher

Contributors dc:contributor

• Court Carney
• Randi Barnes-Cox
• Hunter Hampton

• hip-hop
• primary source
• 20th century
• african american
• dead prez
• Cultural History

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/etds/588

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarworks.sfasu.edu:etds-1631