Fink on Hip-Hop and Islam

Steven Fink has published an interesting piece in the Journal of Religion and Society entitled, "For the Best of All Listeners: American Islamic Hip Hop as Reminder."  The article is here.  The abstract is below:


This article analyzes lyrics of American Islamic hip hop songs that address views of Muslims as threats to American society as well as negative views of Muslim women.  As an alternative to these views, hip hop artists remind Muslim listeners of the Qur’anic principle that they are the best of all peoples, so listeners will define themselves according to this principle and therefore persevere in Islamic faith.  Musicological analysis follows this lyrical analysis, revealing a shared temporal structure both lyrically and musically, which strengthens these songs’ lyrical reminder.


Photo Credits: UW-Eau Claire.

-- Nick J. Sciullo