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Transculturation in German-Turkish Hip-Hop

Power Point by Katie Cinquini

Presentation by Brittney Teal-Cribbs

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AbstractThroughout Europe, hybrid youth cultures continue to form and morph as global migration creates minority enclaves in urban areas. Music plays a large part in the transformation of this culture for Germany’s large Turkish population. Participation by both sides in the German hip-hop scene has created a type of transculturation in which aspects of both cultures are preserved. Hip-hop was first transformed in Germany by white artists whose lyrics more closely resembled traditional soft rock. Today, the immigrant populations have appropriated this uniquely German form of hip-hop to discuss deeper issues of race, poverty and violence that transcend racial stereotypes.

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So…

What the HECK does that mean?!

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Basically it says…

The ways in which individuals/group express and build minority moral through music, lyrics and language.

5The 4 music groups that were talked about…

Microphone Mafia Freundeskreis

Cartel Brothers Keepers

6Microphone Mafia

English Italian

Turkish German

Most of the chores in their songs are sung in English because it is a

universal language. Also because it is their

way of bringing the American population

into their music.

Incorporates four different languages

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Lyrics

Microphone mafia uses their lyrics to ‘stay in touch with their culture and heritage’. Unlike other groups they don’t typically have specific political messages in their music, but some lyrics could be thought of that way.

Lyrics can and are a very influential part of music.

8Freundeskreis

The group politicized hip-hop in the German culture using their lyrics to promote the

Americanization of their music.

German English

Languages…

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http://www.vistawide.com/german/german_music/freundeskreis.htm

“With their first single "Leg dein Ohr auf die Schiene der Geschichte" in 1997, they proved that Germans could be amenable to embracing hip hop music that takes on political themes. Freundeskreis is known for promoting a spirit of international cooperation and respect for differences not only in their lyrics but also in their musical compositions.”

10Cartel

This is Cartel’s way of excluding

German audiences. They gear their

music to the Turkish population that

lives in Germany.

Turkish is their main language.

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This album cover is even

meant to look like the Turkish

flag.

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‘a German based transnational

anti-racism group’

Brothers Keepers

German and English language included

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Lyrics

Their lyrics are influenced by black power rhetoric and are militantly anti-Nazi, proposing solutions to

racism ranging from education and violence.

14Music Video

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Over-all. . .

Music in the German-Turkish population

is very influential. It is a representative

of expressionism.

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THANK YOU!