This thesis investigates the use of African American Vernacular English in contemporary music. AAVE is an ethnic variety spoken by many, though not all, African Americans living in the United States. This dialect does not have one name only, but is also called “Negro dialect,” “Nonstandard Negro English,” “Black English,” “Black Street Speech,” “Black Vernacular English,” “Black Vernacular English,” or “African American English.” I would like to add that some terms are historical. It is crucial to know that researchers call it differently because to a large degree it depends on the time he/she conducted research on this topic. Today, the dialect is either called African American Vernacular English or African American English.
The words “contemporary music” in the title refer to Hip Hop. This music genre was chosen to be investigated because out of the music genres African Americans are involved in, it is the one that generates most of the sales and is the most popular one. The rappers which are going to be analyzed in this thesis use many of the features of the African American vernacular. Given the huge number of AAVE features, only one of them will be analyzed, the copula verb to be, which in the following will only be called “the copula.” According to Wolfram, the copula is “one of the most often described structures of AAVE” (2008: 517). For this reason, the copula might be an interesting feature to look at. When researchers examined AAVE in the past, they did not necessarily take music as a source of data, but rather spoken language. One has to know that language in music is a different genre of language use, which differs from the usual use of the language. Music can be considered an artistic expression, but not “real” speech. Nevertheless, as music has always been and presumably will always be a big part in African American culture, it should be possible to recognize features of AAVE and use music as a reliable source. In the analysis conducted in this thesis, the use of the copula will be examined by having a look at the lyrics of three famous rappers from the US: Tupac, Jay-Z and 50 Cent. Even though the three of them can be assigned to “gangsta rap”, they all differ from each other. They all started their careers in different decades, come from different cities and have a different style of rapping. What they have in common is that they are African American rappers from a lower class who grew up in poverty and have become successful musicians.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Background Knowledge on AAVE
- 2.1 Definition, Origin, Speakers of AAVE and Attitudes Towards It
- 2.2 Overview of the Most Important Features of AAVE
- 2.3 Hip Hop and AAVE
- 2.4 The Research Question
- 3. Materials and Method
- 3.1 The Artists
- 3.2 The Song Selection
- 3.3 The Method
- 4. Results and Discussion
- 4.1 Results
- 4.2 Discussion
- 4. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This thesis aims to investigate the use of African American Vernacular English (AAVE) in contemporary Hip Hop music. It focuses specifically on the use of the copula verb "to be" as a key feature of AAVE, analyzing its prevalence in the lyrics of three prominent rappers: Tupac, Jay-Z, and 50 Cent. The study explores whether Hip Hop music can serve as a reliable source for linguistic analysis of AAVE.
- The prevalence and variation of copula deletion in AAVE within Hip Hop lyrics.
- Diachronic analysis of copula usage across the careers of the selected rappers.
- Comparison of copula usage across different rappers and their stylistic approaches.
- Evaluation of Hip Hop music as a source for AAVE linguistic research.
- The relationship between sociolinguistic factors (e.g., class, background) and linguistic choices in rap music.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the thesis's central focus: the analysis of African American Vernacular English (AAVE) within contemporary Hip Hop music. It establishes the scope of the research, specifying the focus on the copula verb "to be" and its usage by three prominent rappers – Tupac, Jay-Z, and 50 Cent. The introduction justifies the selection of Hip Hop as a significant genre reflecting AAVE, acknowledging the genre’s popularity and cultural relevance within the African American community. It also acknowledges the complexities of analyzing language within the artistic context of music, hinting at the potential challenges and nuances involved in interpreting linguistic features within a musical framework.
2. Background Knowledge on AAVE: This chapter provides essential background information on AAVE, addressing its various names and historical contexts. It offers a definition of AAVE, exploring its origins, its speakers, and the various attitudes and perceptions surrounding the dialect. This section then delves into a detailed overview of AAVE's most significant linguistic features, laying the groundwork for a comprehensive understanding of the dialect and the specific features chosen for analysis. The chapter’s final part introduces the role of Hip Hop music in relation to AAVE, examining the relationship between the two and setting the stage for the thesis’s central analysis. It also specifically addresses the research question concerning the reliability of using Hip Hop lyrics as data for AAVE study.
3. Materials and Method: This chapter outlines the methodology employed in the thesis. It details the selection of the three artists – Tupac, Jay-Z, and 50 Cent – explaining the criteria used and their relevance to the study. The chapter then explains the selection process of songs to be included in the analysis. Finally, it elaborates on the specific methods used to analyze the data, providing a clear and transparent account of the research process. This explanation ensures the reproducibility and validity of the research findings.
4. Results and Discussion: This chapter presents the findings of the analysis of copula usage in the selected Hip Hop lyrics. It details the results obtained from the data, providing a structured presentation of the quantitative and qualitative observations. The discussion section then interprets these results, analyzing the patterns and variations observed and relating them to the established background information on AAVE. The chapter explores the implications of the findings, connecting them to the broader theoretical framework and addressing the research questions posed in the introduction. It directly addresses whether observed patterns support or challenge existing understanding of AAVE and the use of this genre as a linguistic source.
Keywords
African American Vernacular English (AAVE), Hip Hop music, copula verb, linguistic analysis, rap lyrics, sociolinguistics, diachronic analysis, language variation, cultural context, linguistic features, Tupac, Jay-Z, 50 Cent.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of African American Vernacular English (AAVE) in Hip Hop
What is the main focus of this thesis?
This thesis investigates the use of African American Vernacular English (AAVE) in contemporary Hip Hop music, specifically focusing on the copula verb "to be" and its usage by Tupac, Jay-Z, and 50 Cent. It explores whether Hip Hop can serve as a reliable source for linguistic analysis of AAVE.
What are the key themes explored in the thesis?
Key themes include the prevalence and variation of copula deletion in AAVE within Hip Hop lyrics; a diachronic analysis of copula usage across the rappers' careers; a comparison of copula usage across different rappers and their styles; an evaluation of Hip Hop as a source for AAVE linguistic research; and the relationship between sociolinguistic factors (class, background) and linguistic choices in rap music.
Which artists are analyzed in this study?
The study analyzes the lyrics of three prominent rappers: Tupac, Jay-Z, and 50 Cent.
What methodology is used in this research?
The thesis details the selection criteria for the artists and songs. It then elaborates on the specific methods used to analyze the data, ensuring reproducibility and validity of the findings.
What are the key findings of the study?
The "Results and Discussion" chapter presents the findings of the analysis of copula usage in the selected Hip Hop lyrics. It details the quantitative and qualitative observations, interprets the patterns and variations, and relates them to existing knowledge of AAVE. The implications of the findings are discussed in relation to the research questions and existing theoretical frameworks.
What is the significance of using Hip Hop lyrics as a data source for AAVE research?
The thesis explores the potential and limitations of using Hip Hop music as a reliable source for linguistic analysis of AAVE, acknowledging the genre's cultural relevance and potential challenges in interpreting linguistic features within a musical context.
What background information on AAVE is provided?
The thesis provides a comprehensive overview of AAVE, including its definition, origin, speakers, attitudes towards it, and key linguistic features. It also examines the relationship between Hip Hop music and AAVE.
What is the overall conclusion of the thesis?
The conclusion chapter summarizes the findings and their implications, addressing whether the observed patterns support or challenge existing understanding of AAVE and the use of Hip Hop as a linguistic source. It offers a final assessment of the research questions.
What are the keywords associated with this research?
Keywords include: African American Vernacular English (AAVE), Hip Hop music, copula verb, linguistic analysis, rap lyrics, sociolinguistics, diachronic analysis, language variation, cultural context, linguistic features, Tupac, Jay-Z, 50 Cent.
- Quote paper
- A. Glatz (Author), 2011, African American Vernacular English in Contemporary Music, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/187599
