The poetics of praxis: analogy, identity and commitment in hip-hop culture

This dissertation contends that the distinctive poetic language of hip-hop enables individuals to understand and construct identities, as well as to challenge dominant narratives and provoke conscious shifts in their perceptions of self and community. Beginning with language, Chapter I explores the poetic structure of analogy and examines the cultural and cognitive ro les that analogy plays in American hip-hop. Acknowledging the transcultural nature of identity in hip-hop. Chapter 2 examines Gautam Malkani's novel Londonsrani and the ways in which postcolonial youth construct identities through analogy and hip-hop culture. Further developing the connection between art and audience, Chapter 3 applies Jean-Paul Sartre's notion of 'committed literature' to Christian rap and investigates the role of language in inspiring action and progressive change. The companion album to the dissertation uses poetic structures and tropes to explore political, philosophical and sociological concepts, with the goal of inspiring listeners to reevaluate fundamental assumptions , and be liefs that they may hold, in the tradition of committed literature. The album Scholar is available for free download online at BlakeBrandes.com and includes footnoted lyrics for all beongs to encourage educational application of the music.