Who is Hip-hop? : Olof Palme, the meaning of the Suburb and Identity in Swedish Rap music

The aim of this study is to gain insight into Swedish hiphop culture and some important values connected to the culture. This essay will strictly focus on the kind of values Swedish rappers describe in their lyrics regarding the streets, the suburbans and their neighborhood. My analysis is built upon eight rap albums by different rappers originating from a few of the bigger cities of Sweden. I use Laclau & Mouffe’s discourse theory to analyse the material which exposed a hiphop ideal regarding a tough background, a factor that seems to be highly valued and put above the basic four elements of the culture. I also found that Swedish rappers romanticize the former Swedish prime minister Olof Palme and his era, which is a unique spin in comparison with a lot of different countries’ national hiphop discourses, which often lack a particular time to idolize. The aim of this study is to gain insight into Swedish hiphop culture and some important values connected to the culture. This essay will strictly focus on the kind of values Swedish rappers describe in their lyrics regarding the streets, the suburbans and their neighborhood. My analysis is built upon eight rap albums by different rappers originating from a few of the bigger cities of Sweden. I use Laclau & Mouffe’s discourse theory to analyse the material which exposed a hiphop ideal regarding a tough background, a factor that seems to be highly valued and put above the basic four elements of the culture. I also found that Swedish rappers romanticize the former Swedish prime minister Olof Palme and his era, which is a unique spin in comparison with a lot of different countries’ national hiphop discourses, which often lack a particular time to idolize