Hip Hop and the Production of Space and Place

Austin Cahill

Date of Award

2008

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Humanities

First Advisor

Clark, Maribeth

Keywords

Hip-Hop, Space, Place, Urban Studies

Area of Concentration

General Studies

Abstract

This thesis seeks to explore concepts of space and place, how they are socially constructed, and how hiphop culture engages them. As a major cultural force in the latter part of the twentieth century and on into the twenty-first, hip-hop�s practices deserve examination beyond simply their artistic value. This paper will look at hip hop�s role in the production of space and place-making processes. The first step in this exercise is to define how space and place are experienced in everyday life and how social processes are both shaped by and shape the built environment. Then the historical processes that served to ghettoize African-Americans and eventually resulted in the construction of modern housing projects are examined. The case of the South Bronx is of particular importance, as it highlights the social isolation experienced in modern ghettoes and is also the place where hip-hop culture began. Finally, graffiti, breakdancing, and rap music�s relationship with space and place are analyzed in the context of the history of the black ghetto. It will be seen that by claiming space in the urban terrain in ways that attach meaning and value these spatial practices are means by which the youth who emerged from the environment of the modern ghetto make their own places and construct their own identity.

Rights

This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS