Music of the Multiethnic Minority: A Postnational Perspective

Authors

  • Jan Sverre Knudsen Oslo University College

Keywords:

hip-hop, rap, minority music, immigrants, postnational, hybridity, Oslo, Norway

Abstract

This article examines implications of a postnational perspective on the music of minorities. As an example, the musical practices of a multiethnic hip-hop group in Norway are discussed with reference to musicological, linguistic and social studies. Lyrics and field observations present the complex image of a group of young people positioning themselves through music style, performance practices and language use. The article argues that a postnational perspective can provide a helpful approach to understanding the hybridized practices of minority youths engaged in globalized hip-hop culture, while it is also necessary to pay careful attention to the locally embedded discourses they take part in and contribute to shaping.

Author Biography

Jan Sverre Knudsen, Oslo University College

Professor

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Published

2011-11-24