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Child Adolesc Soc Work J (2013) 30:139167
DOI 10.1007/s10560-012-0285-x
Raphael Travis Jr.
Published online: 16 November 2012 Springer Science+Business Media New York 2012
Abstract Pioneers of various elements of Hip-Hop culture have been empowered through the ability to voice their reality and nd a meaningful identity alongside others who found purpose and function in embracing Hip-Hop culture (Chang, Cant stop wont stop: A history of the hip-hop generation, 2005). This empowerment persists in various reinventions of the culture within the United States and worldwide. The present study examines whether evidence exists in research to support the value of esteem, resilience, growth, community and change as empowering dimensions outlined in the individual and community empowerment framework. Research questions ask: (1) Does youth self-expression in rap music created within music therapy sessions reect framework dimensions? (2) Does content in commercially recognizable rap music reect framework dimensions? (3) How well does the framework align with a model of empowerment-based positive youth development? First, data collected to examine the validity of the framework were reviewed. Next, two peer-reviewed research studies published after articulation of the original framework, were examined to investigate commonality between themes and framework dimensions. One study was in a music therapy context and another explored themes in commercial Hip-Hop recordings. Original framework data supports theorizing that rap music content actually comprises developmental narratives (Travis and Deepak, 2011; Travis and Bowman, 2012). Data in the present study further suggest that these developmental narratives are relevant for Hip-Hop in every day music engagement, in therapeutic self-expression, and within commercially available musical content. Framework dimensions also aligned with a conceptual model of positive youth development that allows specication of intervention pathways and empirically testable outcomes for Hip-Hop integrated change strategies. Results suggest that rap music is a discourse in lifespan
R. Travis Jr. (&)
School of Social Work, Texas State UniversitySan Marcos, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA e-mail: [email protected]
Rap Music and the Empowerment of Todays Youth: Evidence in Everyday Music Listening, Music Therapy, and Commercial Rap Music
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development. Rap musics developmental narratives may be used by practitioners, parents and researchers. The narratives exist within a framework and model that(a) provides a template for better understanding these narratives and (b) positions this understanding for...