LE3 .A278 2013

2013

Horgan, Mervyn

Acadia University

Bachelor of Arts

Honours

Sociology

Sociology

This thesis examines rural white rap production as an investigation of whether or not social inequalities in a rural community are expressed within the music of local rap artists. There is little scholarly research examining rap production in rural areas, especially in Atlantic Canada. The sample population for this research consisted of three participants, all of whom are both rap music fans and artists and had spent a significant amount of their lives in rural communities in Nova Scotia. This research utilizes primary data from three qualitative semi-structured interviews. Interview transcripts were open-coded and focus-coded for recurring themes within the responses. The interview results were analyzed drawing on subcultural theory and previous scholarly literature on both rap music and rural culture. The findings of this study indicate that the participants viewed rap music as a way to express personal narratives and experiences, which were shaped in someway by their community. They also indicated rap as an outlet, either as an escape from everyday life realities or as a way to release frustrations. Race was not noted as significant when discussing their participation in the genre of rap music. This study provided a basis in which to build further research on rural rap production. Although different patterns and themes can be drawn from the primary data of this study, a larger sample of participants is needed in order to make conclusions on a larger societal level.

The author retains copyright in this thesis. Any substantial copying or any other actions that exceed fair dealing or other exceptions in the Copyright Act require the permission of the author.

https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:1040