Arabesque rap music and cultural identity building: Gaziantep secondary school youth example

This study aimed to understand how arabesque rap music creates a semantic universe on the audience with its structure where it combines different codes, and the connections in the processes of presenting themselves and building identity of young people who listen to this popular music genre. Rap music, one of the main parts of hip-hop culture, was born in America and later found an echo in different parts of the world. Arabesque music, which is one of the popular music in Turkey, has intersected with rap music especially since the 2000s, and thus, arabesque rap music, in which some groups found a space to express themselves, came to the fore. It has been understood that this music has a role especially for some young bands to reveal themselves. Considering the activities of popular music on young people, arabesque-rap music has also created a space where these groups can express themselves, interact and communicate with their surroundings, and build their identities. In-depth interview and observation methods were used in this qualitative study; It has been observed that the interviewees who are arabesque rap listeners are in a socio-economically disadvantaged position, have similar life experiences between artists and listeners, and arabesque rap has an important function in revealing the various feelings of the interviewees. It has been understood that this music, which is especially present on social media, creates a field where young people can construct their identities, show micro-resistance against authorities, and interact with their peers. Therefore, like every popular music, arabesque rap also appeals to the world of its participants; It provides an environment of exchange where they experience their opposition, friendship relations and feelings. Understanding the background of this music and its components, which is generally seen to be exposed to negative criticism, and giving ideas for new studies are among the important points of this study. Keywords: Popular Music, Arabesque Rap, Identity Construction