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| |How religion affects rap music or hip-hop culture during colonial and missionary era |
|Introduction | |
| |This research addresses the impact of religion on hiphop culture in the postcolonial period. This topic was |
|Research Question: |pursued in order to understand the origin and reason for massive acceptance of popular culture. The term paper |
| |will establish whether there is any link that can be created between pop culture and specifically hiphop music |
|Thesis with 3 parts: |and religion. Since there is a strong link between religion and colonization as portrayed by (Amos and Estrelda,|
| |2011). A conclusion will be made on the impact of colonization on development of hiphop music. |
| |Research question: Has religion affected rap music or hiphop culture and is there any role that was played by |
| |colonization? |
| |The paper will assess the manner in which hiphop culture was influenced by religion. Hiphop culture is part of |
| |what is referred to as popular culture. It is mostly a culture that is transmitted using literal artefacts like |
| |music and other artistic presentations. This study will specifically address the concept of colonization and its|
| |impact on social disintegration. As Lidskog (2016) pointed out, in the colonial era, there are many social |
| |changes that occurred in comparison with precolonial era. As a result of colonization and what was seen as |
| |oppression, there was too much strain in distribution of social resources. This strain that was created by |
| |colonial masters to their subjects formed well defined social stratification where the subjects identified |
| |themselves on one side and the masters on the other side. |
| |Social stratification and disintegration that originated from colonization left a mark even after colonization |
| |was over. These social classes which were created by colonial masters were created in a bid to forge power on |
| |their subjects can be traced even today. Segregation of the poor subjects led to the formation of popular |
| |culture as an attempt by the solid majority to create an identity for themselves (Lidskog, 2016). In this paper,|
| |the focus will be given to the colonial period with reference to the development of hip-hop culture and how |
| |religion formed an integral part in its development. |
| |Source 1 (Amos and Estrelda, 2011) – This book addresses the issue of Pentecostalism and its impact on African |
| |colonization. The book will be used to understand how popular culture can be explained in terms of colonization |
| |and religion. In the term paper, emphasis will be given to religion and its impact on rap music. This article |
|Literature Review |explains in details the development of religion after colonization. It looks at how missionaries were able to |
|& |spread faith to different places using methods such as preaching in public places and door-to-door preaching. |
|Theory |Through the article, it can be seen that there was a challenge in the way in which religion was spread during |
| |the colonial era. In the present day, music is one approach that has been used successfully to spread messages |
| |of Christianity. |
| |Source 2 (Lidskog, 2016) – This article addresses the contribution of music on ethnic identification. Using this|
| |article, it will be possible to understand the social effects of music. The article is very relevant for this |
| |paper as it provides part of the answer to the research question. The paper seeks to bring out the relationship |
| |that exists between rap music and religion. In this case, religion can be seen as a cultural element same as |
| |ethnicity. The article will show how hiphop culture has been propagated using rap music. |
| |Source 3 (Ransom, 2013) – This article will address the idea of rap music and how it is used to focus on the |
| |past. The research question seeks to establish whether there is any link between religion and rap music or |
| |hiphop culture. This article will provide a theoretical basis on how music is used to reflect on the past. Most |
| |of the social differences that led to creation of hiphop culture were created during the colonial period. Since |
| |these are the strong ties that still form the basis for pop culture up to date, hiphop or rap music can still be|
| |seen as good way of revisiting the past and remembering the bonds that exist. |
| |In this study, the concept/theoretical perspective that has been used is colonialism. This refers to the whole |
| |activity of colonization that was carried out by colonial masters to their subjects. According to Amos and |
| |Estrelda (2011), the key point to note is that when traditional states were invaded by colonial masters, there |
| |was a massive change in socio-cultural dimensions. Colonialists came with their own cultural beliefs and imposed|
| |them onto their subjects. |
| |As a result of colonialism, one sociological dimension that was greatly affected was religion. Religion is |
| |defined by Amos and Estrelda (2011) as part of culture. Lidskog (2016) also looks at religion as a belief in |
| |existence of a supernatural being. Before the coming of colonialists, missionaries had gone to many parts of the|
| |world to spread religion. On their coming, colonialists found people who had been civilized and had already |
| |been introduced to religion. Among the African Americans, popular culture was developed by black natives, who |
| |were mostly the subjects of colonization, as a way of uniting against colonial masters. |
| |Through popular culture, African Americans we able to acquire what Lidskog (2016) refers to as ethnic identity. |
| |In order to strengthen their social identity, rap music was accepted as a symbol of popular culture. Rap was a |
| |form of cultural resistance that was applied by the blacks to share their frustrations and communicate to their |
| |“oppressors”. |
| |1. That there is a strong relationship between religion as a sociological dimension and rap music. As Lidskog |
| |(2016) pointed out, music is one way in which cultural identity can be obtained. Just like religion, music pulls|
| |people together and communicates to them in a language they can understand. |
|Results/Findings/ |2. The religion is strongly tied to colonization and therefore hiphop culture started during colonial period. It|
|Main Arguments |has been argued that hiphop culture was developed as a way of revolting against the colonisers (Lidskog, 2016). |
| |African Americans came together and formed a unified society with common cultural values. |
| |3. It is clear that the religion that was spread through missionary activity formed the basis for social |
| |disintegration during the colonial period. This social disintegration led to formation of hiphop culture. In |
| |order to maintain the culture, rap music was used to spread messages and also as a way of re-visioning the past |
| |(Ransom, 2013). |
| |One of the social developments that were started in the colonial period and has been taking shape even in the |
| |present day is the spread of religion. As the masses were being oppressed by their colonial masters, they formed|
|Discussion |different groups. |
| |Colonialists came with their religion and introduced it to the masses. Looking at the example of Africa, we can |
| |establish that Christian missionaries arrived long before colonialists. The arrival of missionaries and the |
| |introduction of Christianity led to what is today referred to as Afro-Pentecostalism (Amos and Estrelda, 2011). |
| |In the year 1906, Pentecostal church doctrines had been well planted in Africa. Due to the oppression that came |
| |with colonization, masses identified themselves with these churches as a way of showing solidarity. This brought|
| |out clearly the argument of Carl Marx when he defined religion as “Opium of the masses”. |
| |From popularization of the religion and its acceptance by the majority, it has been used by different people in |
| |an attempt to reach these masses. In this paper, we shall look at the manner in which Kanye West took advantage |
| |of the current state of Pentecostalism among African Americans. Since Pentecostalism had already been accepted |
| |as part of popular culture, Kanye West has used it to gain acceptability for his music. The music has come to be|
| |referred to as hiphop. |
| |There are several counter arguments that can be seen from different theorists. For instance, different authors |
|Counter Arguments or alternative |are looking at the idea of rap music differently. Whereas Ransom (2013) uses a unified analytical approach to |
|explanations |understand rap music, Amos and Estrelda (2011) uses a rather diversified approach. Secondly, different theories |
|(with the research, not your |address the issue of religion and hiphop culture differently. While Marxist thinkers look at religion as a |
|topic!) |technique used by people to run away from their social emotions, there are others like feminist and |
| |functionalist thinkers who have different opinions. Feminist thinkers look at religion as more of a feminine |
| |rather than a masculine obligation. Functionalists look at religion as one of the social pillars that keep |
| |societies together. |
| |A review of previous articles and research indicate that indeed popular culture developed as a result of |
|Conclusion |colonization. People of black origin felt that they had been targeted by the colonialists and wanted to form a |
| |solid culture that they would use to resist colonial oppression. Rap music was developed as a way of |
| |communicating among the blacks and also communicating to their masters. Rap music is common even this day where |
| |it has now been integrated into religion by people like Kanye West. After looking at the current society, Kanye |
| |came up with songs that will capture social acceptability. We can thus conclude that religion has shaped the |
| |identity of rap music. |
| |The direction that can has been established through research is that colonization strengthened social |
| |disintegration and religion was used for social identity. Popular culture later came to differentiate between |
| |social groups since religion was used by all people including colonizers. This is how colonization led to |
| |creation and development of hiphop culture and rap music. |
| |This research is very important in understanding the basis for popular culture and its importance in social |
| |integration. It has already been established that pop culture was developed after the social fabric was |
| |destroyed by colonization. Religion attempted to repair the mess, but was not sufficient as it lacked ethnic |
| |identity. Popular culture has succeeded up to present day because it concerns a certain group of people who have|
| |a socio-cultural connection. |
| |1. Alexander,Estrelda et al. Afro-Pentecostalism: Black Pentecostal And Charismatic Christianity In History And |
|References |Culture (Religion, Race, And Ethnicity Series). New York University Press, 2011. |
| |2. Lidskog,Rolf. "The Role Of Music In Ethnic Identity Formation In Diaspora: A Research Review". International |
| |Social Science Journal, vol 66, no. 219-220, 2016, pp. 23-38. Wiley, |
| | |
| |3. Ransom, Amy J. "“Québec History X”: Re-Visioning The Past Through |
| |Rap1". American Review Of Canadian Studies, vol 43, no. 1, 2013, |
| |pp. 12-29. Informa UK Limited |
Remember, your own words and the best you can do are ALWAYS better than a ‘0’ and an academic alert! The Writing and Learning Centre is here to help.
**Use proper APA citation throughout your paper. When in doubt, contact me or the WLC.
Your paper should be 6-10 pages, double-spaced, not including references. Use the headings provided in the chart below and ensure each section of your paper answers the section points and questions.
| |Situate your topic - ex. make a general statement about your topic that grabs the reader's interest, or use a |
| |quote or statistic (hook) |
| |Explain why and how you thought about pursuing your topic |
|Introduction |Ask a research question to focus your paper. What do you want to find out from your research? You may or may not |
| |include this question in your paper. |
| |After doing some research, answer your research question in the form of an argument with three parts. Be sure to |
| |explain why your topic is important. This is your thesis. |
| |Discuss at least three other sources related to your topic, including: |
| |Define the concept or theoretical perspective you are using |
| |Which other research articles similar to your topic have used it, and for what purposes? |
|Literature Review |Write a paragraph or two about any research related to your sociological dimension and area of pop culture. |
|Theory | |
| |Explain the three major parts of your thesis supported with examples from your sources, or the item of popular |
| |culture itself. |
|Results/Findings/ |(in the final paper write at least 2 paragraphs for each part.) |
|Main Arguments |Include pictures, graphs or diagrams that might illustrate your points |
| |Support your ideas with quotes from your sources, including material from your item of study |
| |Your interpretation - what do your results really mean? |
|Discussion |How well were you able to support your argument with research? |
| |Are there any other explanations/ counterarguments about your topic? |
| |Is there anything you wish you could have done differently? |
| |Did you have any problems researching your topic (ex. not enough information, information difficult to |
|Problems/ |understand)? |
|Counterarguments |Can you suggest any additional areas for research or any improvements to the studies you looked at? |
| |Summarize the three main components of your topic |
| |Does your research point to any conclusions? |
| |Does your data suggest any directions that you would like to pursue within your topic? |
| |Are there other topics related to your research that should be pursued? |
|Conclusion |Remind your reader: Why and to whom is your topic important? |
|References |6-10 references, APA style throughout, including the 3 studies mentioned above as well as other articles |
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