‘Nothing new under the sun’: literary allusion, intertextuality, and lyrical performative stylistic allusion in hip hop lyricism

Adey, P.S., 2023. ‘Nothing new under the sun’: literary allusion, intertextuality, and lyrical performative stylistic allusion in hip hop lyricism. PhD, Nottingham Trent University.

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Abstract

This critical-creative thesis explores how several rap artists from key eras in hip hop culture have utilised the techniques of literary allusion and intertextuality to impact their work in multiple meaningful ways. The creative component of the thesis (comprising a trilogy of rap LPs) provides a template/framework for future research in these areas through a practice-based, creative-led focus on the use of intertextuality in rap to identify and artistically illustrate the sophisticated uses of these techniques. Case studies included in this thesis focus on: Nas’s use of creative patrilineage (Higgins, 2007) to form modes of lyrical transcendence, epistolic legacy, and religious and thematic allusion (Ch. 1); Kendrick Lamar’s engagement with intertextuality to explore loss and trauma, and his revision of the postmortem sampling trope (Williams, 2013) (Ch. 2); and the technique of lyrical performative stylistic allusion through the lyrics of J.I.D., Kemba, Saba, Earl Sweatshirt, and MIKE and Navy Blue (Ch. 3).

Whilst intertextuality in hip hop has been defined in recent years (e.g., Williams, 2013; Diallo, 2015), academic research into how it (alongside literary allusion specifically, and the innovative technique of lyrical performative stylistic allusion) is employed artistically to translate modes of vulnerability such as trauma and grief and affect methods of personal and communal catharsis is limited. Using my own understandings and experiences of loss and trauma, I extend this research by providing a critically-informed personal artistic reflection into universal aspects of the male experience, men’s mental health, and masculinity in contemporary society.

Item Type:	Thesis
Creators:	Adey, P.S.
Date:	January 2023
Divisions:	Schools > School of Arts and Humanities
Record created by:	Jonathan Gallacher
Date Added:	27 Jun 2023 14:26
Last Modified:	13 Sep 2023 10:51
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/49298

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