The Beats Have No Color Lines: An Exploration of White Consumption of Rap Music

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between white consumption of politically conscious rap music and the political beliefs of white rap music consumers. The guiding research questions included an exploration of why whites with little prior concern about racism consume rap music with politically conscious antiracist messages; if whites who consume this music believe the messages spoken are an accurate depiction of reality; and if a relationship exists between consumption of politically conscious rap music and an individual's political beliefs. Through interviews of white fans at politically conscious rap shows it was found that many individuals do not understand the music they are consuming is political in intent. Individuals highlighted themes that they could identify with, namely the need for unity and love, while ignoring others, such as the need to fight against injustice and racism. While independently individuals may have liberal political beliefs and consume politically conscious rap music, there appears to be no indication that consumption of rap music alters political beliefs.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Sociology

Department dc:contributor.department

Sociology

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

2004

Author dc:creator

• Katz, Meredith Ann

Chairs dc:contributor.committeechair

• Ryan, John W.
• Harrison, Anthony Kwame

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Hughes, Michael D.
• Kershaw, Terry

• racial identity
• rap music
• hip hop culture
• political beliefs
• white identity
• cultural consumption

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Dc Identifier Other

etd-05122004-125920

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/9942