'I Gave You Power': The Weaponization of Literary Intertextuality in HipHop Lyricism
Lead Research Organisation:
Nottingham Trent University
Department Name: Sch of Arts and Humanities
Abstract
This creative-critical thesis explores the presence and function of literary intertextuality in the hip-hop
tradition by analysing the bodies of work of four emcees from key eras in its history: Rakim, Nas, Black
Thought and Kendrick Lamar. Specifically, it examines how these artists 'weaponize' intertextuality,
empowering themselves and other socially and politically marginalised subjects through a complex
analytical and artistic critique of their social positions, structural conditions and wider cultural
environment. It will investigate the use of literary intertextuality as a conceptual and political weapon
against socio-structural conditions of oppression, and as such, make a significant theoretical
contribution to extant understandings of the links between hip-hop culture and traditionally-conceived
literary culture.
The thesis comprises two parts. The first is an in-depth textual analysis of the bodies of work of the
aforementioned lyricists, analysed thematically (Braun and Clarke, 2006) and systematically using
NVivo software, with a focus on their uses of literary intertextuality. This investigation (40,000 words of
critical prose) will be complemented by the creation of an original collection of lyrics (presented
alongside an original musical accompaniment in the form of a music album) centred upon literary
intertextuality as a 'weapon', with a selfreflexive critical commentary.
This project builds upon my twenty years' experience in the music and media industries, a history of
professional music publication (Adey, 2003, 2010, 2016) and over a decade of experience in tutoring
lyricism with various organisations (including an upcoming short course in conjunction with NTU, 'The
Emcee, Lyricism, HipHop and the Art of Rap'). For my proposed project, I will be expanding upon
these experiences in combination with the skills of literary and poetic analysis acquired during my BA
hons English with Creative Writing (First) and MA Creative Writing (Distinction).
tradition by analysing the bodies of work of four emcees from key eras in its history: Rakim, Nas, Black
Thought and Kendrick Lamar. Specifically, it examines how these artists 'weaponize' intertextuality,
empowering themselves and other socially and politically marginalised subjects through a complex
analytical and artistic critique of their social positions, structural conditions and wider cultural
environment. It will investigate the use of literary intertextuality as a conceptual and political weapon
against socio-structural conditions of oppression, and as such, make a significant theoretical
contribution to extant understandings of the links between hip-hop culture and traditionally-conceived
literary culture.
The thesis comprises two parts. The first is an in-depth textual analysis of the bodies of work of the
aforementioned lyricists, analysed thematically (Braun and Clarke, 2006) and systematically using
NVivo software, with a focus on their uses of literary intertextuality. This investigation (40,000 words of
critical prose) will be complemented by the creation of an original collection of lyrics (presented
alongside an original musical accompaniment in the form of a music album) centred upon literary
intertextuality as a 'weapon', with a selfreflexive critical commentary.
This project builds upon my twenty years' experience in the music and media industries, a history of
professional music publication (Adey, 2003, 2010, 2016) and over a decade of experience in tutoring
lyricism with various organisations (including an upcoming short course in conjunction with NTU, 'The
Emcee, Lyricism, HipHop and the Art of Rap'). For my proposed project, I will be expanding upon
these experiences in combination with the skills of literary and poetic analysis acquired during my BA
hons English with Creative Writing (First) and MA Creative Writing (Distinction).
