Analysis of gender construction in South African hip-hop music and videos
Date
2015-03-05
Authors
Nyirenda, Zgagulula
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Abstract
This study contributes to the growing body of research in South African hip-hop by analyzing
gender construction in the music and videos of the selected artists, Hip-Hop Pantsula, Slikour
and Zulu Boy. South Africa is the chosen country as it is one of the most developed in terms
of hip-hop in Southern Africa. The overall purpose is to investigate ways in which the three
selected hip-hop artists represent and articulate gender in their music lyrics and videos. It is
of the assumption that the chosen hip-hip artists’ songs contain social change messages,
therefore, it is expected that their articulation of gender would be more progressive than other
mainstream hip-hop artists who are known to portray ideas that objectify women. The
literature review discusses a brief overview of research that has been done in the field and a
discussion of some key issues identified by theorists. Here, themes discussed include music
and popular culture, hip-hop music and identity, hip-hop music and gender, and hip-hop
music in the South African context. The theories chosen and discussed include theories of
feminism, theories of the male gaze and media representation, which encompasses gender
and representation and theories of identity. This study uses a qualitative research approach as
it seeks to understand and make meaning of media texts, specifically using thematic analysis.
The research findings and analysis have revealed interesting results. Two themes were found
during the presentation of findings section. The first theme encompasses sub-themes:
objectification of women, stereotyping of women, hyper-masculinites, as well as demeaning
and un-acknowledgement of women. These sub-themes highlighted problematic gender
representations. The second theme focuses on intersection of class, race and gender. Here the
relationships between gender, race and class are examined on multiple levels to explicate
various inequalities that exist in society. Finally, explanations of problematic gender
representations are also explored. These include ‘commercialisation of the music industry’,
‘patriarchal economy in the South African music industry’ and ‘consumerist and celebrity
culture’.
Description
A research paper submitted in fulfilment of the
Requirements for
MASTER OF ARTS DISSERTATION IN MEDIA STUDIES
WITWATERSRAND UNIVERSITY