An examination of lyrics in rap as a subculture music

This study consists of close examination of lyrics written by producers who represent today's rap subculture. Rap music has emerged from the U.S. and spread out to the world from there. The genre was introduced to Turkish society by Turkish worker-immigrants in Germany, and has developed during the 90s. The aim of this study is to examine the current stage and developmental process of rap music as a subculture since its actualization by analyzing the lyrics. For this purpose, three most listened songs (in total nine songs) from singers in Eskisehir with at least 10 years of experience representing rap music were examined via content analysis. Lyrical subjects, referential use of language and how the music of subculture was represented, were demonstrated according to research findings. Representatives are providing the representation of subculture in a proximity that can be related to the time period in which the rap genre has emerged, and also exhibiting a critical approach to the dominant culture. Keywords: Rap, Subculture, Lyrics, Youth