Rappers as Knights-Errant: Classic Allusions in the Mainstreaming of Chinese Rap

Sullivan, Jonathan; Zhao, Yupei

Abstract

Through our analysis of the performances and corpus of lyrics produced on the Reality TV show The Rap of China, we investigate how discrete Chinese inflections refract globally resonant hip-hop themes such as representations of masculinity and loyalty. We identify how rappers use classical Chinese cultural templates, invoking the knights-errant who populate the physical and ideational realm of Jianghu that underpins China’s long tradition of folk tales, martial arts literature, and film. The article explores how Chinese rappers invoke such templates to navigate the twin demands of authenticity and the political imperative of positive energy.

Citation

Sullivan, J., & Zhao, Y. (in press). Rappers as Knights-Errant: Classic Allusions in the Mainstreaming of Chinese Rap. Popular Music and Society, 44(3), 274-291. https://doi.org/10.1080/03007766.2019.1704476

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 10, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Dec 17, 2019
• Deposit Date: Jan 23, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 23, 2020
• Journal: Popular Music and Society
• Print ISSN: 0300-7766
• Electronic ISSN: 1740-1712
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 44
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 274-291
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03007766.2019.1704476
• Keywords: Cultural Studies; Music
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/3787336
• Publisher URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03007766.2019.1704476
• Additional Information: Peer Review Statement: The publishing and review policy for this title is described in its Aims & Scope.; Aim & Scope: http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?show=aimsScope&journalCode=rpms20; Published: 2019-12-17