"Här dansar vi till kvinnoförnedrande musik" : En kvalitativ textanalys av svenska raplåtar ur ett genusperspektiv

Sammanfattning: “Let’s dance to misogynistic music” - A Qualitative Textual Analysis of Swedish Rap Songs from a Gender Perspective Swedish rap music has risen in popularity during the last five years and has grown from being a minority genre to the top of several music charts. Critics suggest that rap in general romanticizes a criminal lifestyle and encourages young listeners to strive for a similar way of life. Others counter by saying that generalization is a slippery slope and that rap music should rather be seen as a way of expressing one’s own experiences. When this debate is put in the limelight, other important topics are easily forgotten. For instance, the objectification of women is sometimes normalized in the rap genre, however much less discussed within a Swedish perspective. The purpose of this study is to examine lyrics in Swedish rap music from a gender perspective. Through a qualitative critical linguistic textual analysis and with support from existing theories about gender, hegemonic masculinity, representation and stereotypes, explore the design of masculinity, femininity and patriarchal structures in the most played Swedish rap songs in the year 2021. The analysis identified five overall themes in the empirical research: trust, emotions, provocation, sexism and superiority. The study found that masculinity takes form in the lyrics through the highlighting of masculine-like characteristics as something to strive for, setting the standard for how men should act and behave. Femininity in the rap lyrics takes form through the degrading of women as she is always seen through the male gaze and is an object rather than a subject. Representations of masculinity and femininity can be considered stereotypical in that they fulfill several patterns of gender structures. Patriarchal structures are reproduced through the sender as they convey that messages connected to sexism and hegemonic masculinity are reasonable and acceptable. In conclusion the study identifies a different kind of hegemonic masculinity where emotions are allowed to take place, but are hidden behind a cover of metaphors and parables. To avoid ending up in a “trap of weakness” where men who show emotions don't fulfill the demands of western masculinity standards, feelings and experiences are articulated symbolically and in a more accepted masculine forum. Keywords: rap music, gender, hegemonic masculinity, representation, stereotypes, femininity, masculinity.