From the streets to the mainstream: popularization of Turkish rap music

Su Kadioglu D., SÖZERİ ÖZDAL C.

TURKISH STUDIES, vol.22, no.4, pp.626-643, 2021 (SSCI) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 22 Issue: 4
  • Publication Date: 2021
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/14683849.2020.1850282
  • Journal Name: TURKISH STUDIES
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, IBZ Online, International Bibliography of Social Sciences, Historical Abstracts, Index Islamicus, MLA - Modern Language Association Database, Political Science Complete, Public Affairs Index, Sociological abstracts, Worldwide Political Science Abstracts
  • Page Numbers: pp.626-643
  • Keywords: commodification, Hip hop, music industry, politics of resistance, Turkish rap
  • Galatasaray University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Turkish rap music has dominated the scene since 2017. This transformation occurred very quickly. Turkish rap was pioneered by alienated Turkish immigrants in Germany. Initially, it served as a tool for self-expression and dissent from an underground position. Although political rap gained popularity for a short period during the Gezi protests, today's rappers are turning into influencers rather than protestors and harming rap's ability of social expression. This research focuses on Turkish rap music's integration with the current capitalist industries by using the perspectives of both cultural studies and political economy through interviews with industry professionals and historical analysis.