This term paper takes a look at how cultural appropriation works in the context of African-American music in general and rap music in particular. Relevant parts of Hari Kunzru's novel "White Tears" will be analyzed in order to understand the motivations and intentions that the two white twenty somethings have in their respective approaches to music that was made before they were born and to a subculture they never participated in due to their social backgrounds. The conclusion of this term paper then answers the following question: Was Carter right to reject the white rapper's business proposal?
Especially in a society like the United States with its long history of racial and cultural contacts and clashes, the appropriation of items from different cultural backgrounds is a strongly contested issue. The intensity of recent mainstream debates concerning the professional sport franchises of the Cleveland Indians or the Washington Redskins and their respective marketing of Native American culture is proof of that. When cultural appropriation is used as a vehicle of capitalism, it becomes debatable. Hari Kunzru's novel "White Tears", published in 2017, deals with exactly these topics when portraying the business ventures of two young white music producers and their shared search for vintage sound in modern day New York City.
In an early scene of the book, Seth and Carter, the producer duo, meet with representatives of a major label and their artist, a famous white rapper. Having heard of their vast archives of rare vintage sounds and their classic methods of production, the mainstream artists offers them the opportunity to work on his newest project, a tribute to all African-American music that was recorded prior to his birth in the Nineties. When Carter dismisses the project on the grounds of false cultural appropriation, he leaves his business partner as confused as the reader of the novel, since there is no further explanation offered and the plot continues.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Cultural Appropriation
- Cultural Appropriation in the US
- Cultural Appropriation in Rap Music
- White Tears
- The Producers' Social Blackness
- Different Standards of Authenticity
- The White Rapper
- A Trip Down Memory Lane
- For the Love of the Game
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This term paper examines cultural appropriation in the context of African-American music, particularly rap music. It analyzes Hari Kunzru's novel "White Tears" to understand the motivations and intentions of two white music producers who engage with music styles created before their time and a subculture they never participated in. The paper ultimately investigates whether one producer was justified in rejecting a business proposal from a white rapper.
- Cultural Appropriation in the US
- Cultural Appropriation in Rap Music
- Authenticity in Music Production
- The Concept of "Social Blackness"
- Race and Identity in Music
Chapter Summaries
- Introduction: The paper introduces the concept of cultural appropriation, particularly within the context of the United States, and highlights the debate surrounding the commercialization of cultural elements. It introduces the novel "White Tears" and its focus on two white music producers and their approach to African-American music. The paper outlines its objective: to analyze the producers' motives and intentions in relation to cultural appropriation.
- Cultural Appropriation: This chapter defines the term "cultural appropriation" and explores its mechanics within the US and specifically within rap music. It discusses the transfer of cultural values from subordinate to dominant cultures and its historical significance in the United States.
- Cultural Appropriation in the US: This section provides a historical perspective on cultural appropriation in the US, illustrating its impact on African-American music through examples of minstrel shows, black-faced actors, and the appropriation of various genres.
- Cultural Appropriation in Rap Music: This section focuses on the evolution of rap music and the complexities of cultural appropriation within the genre. It discusses the emergence of white artists in the rap scene and the role of commercial interests in shaping the perception of authenticity.
Keywords
Key terms and concepts explored in this paper include cultural appropriation, authenticity, social blackness, race, identity, rap music, African-American music, and commercialization. The paper examines the complex relationship between cultural appropriation and the music industry, emphasizing the potential for both exploitation and genuine appreciation.
- Quote paper
- Florian Arleth (Author), 2018, Rap Music and Cultural Appropriation in Hari Kunzru's "White Tears", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/490582
