Journal of Hip Hop Studies
Abstract
In this paper, I present an understanding of music videos as useful representations of the dynamism of blackness and black identity and in fact indicative of a post-regional turn in Hip Hop. In order to illustrate, I first examine how blackness is expressed in physical space with the advent of New York City's block parties and the Bay Area's "hyphy" movement. I then situate the importance of the music video in a contemporary understanding of visualized culture in virtual space. Applying this understanding to the performance and perception of blackness, I use the example of Canadian Hip Hop artist Drake's journey of self-representation and identification, following the trajectory of his career through music video creation. In doing so, I argue that technological innovation serves as the moment and the means to visualise evolving identity as is articulated by Hip Hop and the music video.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.34718/VB3Y-5W38
Volume
3
Issue
1
Rights
© The Journal
Recommended Citation
Rubin, Joel
(2016)
"Hip Hop Videos and Black Identity in Virtual Space,"
Journal of Hip Hop Studies: Vol. 3:
Iss.
1, Article 9.
Available at:
https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/jhhs/vol3/iss1/9