Nationalism and Globalization in Russian Hip-Hop

Lika RyginaPhD in sociology

The 12th Annual ASN World Convention, USA, Columbia University, 12-14 April 2007

Peculiarities of Russian nationalism

• messianism• mysticism• universalism• meta-historicity• religion• geopoliticity• meta-ethnicity• collectivism• imperial redical • unique status (“Otherness”, “Chosen by God”)

Meta-ethnicity of Russian nationalism

in rap lyric The youngsters are alike in New York and

MoscowThe dudes like me live everywhere.It’s easy for those who get hip-hopNew York and Moscow get this cultureNew York - Moscow, Moscow - New York.Twelve hours are between these cities New York - Moscow, Moscow - New York.Rap is here and there, music is forever.

DeTsl, Moscow – New-York album “Who are? You”, 2006

Although you're white as snow in the outerInside you're black as bread, man You can call yourself as you likeYou can be a punk, a freak, a Nazi, a beatnik, a mode A stylish one, a hippy, raver, gop, it doesn't matterYour suburb is bottom. We, ghetto inhabitants are always the sameSkin colour doesn't matterI'm a nigger, you're a niggerAnd kind God won't help us.

S9, In a white ghetto (album “I will get stronger if survive”, 2004)

Geopolitics of Russian nationalism We'll go the long wayWhich is not straightWe'll go around the worldAnd come back homeWe'll teach this songEverybody in the worldWe'll go backIn the summer, fall, winter!Opa, opa, America, EuropeThe planet is moving in the rhythm of Russian hip-hop.

Disco Avaria, Opa! (album “Souz 39”, 2006).

“Cultural translation” or rap “Russification”(the case of “Sport chastushki”)

I grew up in the suburbs, working night to dawn,

A simple fella stylin' golden teeth, all brawn

A simple fella, ain't no playa me Yet all the honeys, they be lovin' me When in the evening I walk out the

door Get in my Beemer, push the pedal

to the floor I pump the music loud and I flash

my smile The girlies look at me like "he got

style" Got me a black Beemer, and my

ride is tight Cause I'll be riding it all day and

night It's hella fast and hella stylish too Don't be afraid (get in) there's

always room for you!

My black Beemer, my black Beemer

Looking always pimp and clean

My black Beemer, my black Beemer

Driving it should not be a sin

My black Beemer, my black Beemer

Come on, take a ride in it My black Beemer, my black

Beemer

Honeys always loving it!

Serega “Black Beemer”, 2004

Resistance to the cultural unification

“Columbia Pictures doesn't present” BandEros, 2006

“Junk-Donald's”

Mr. Maloi, 2004

Globalization in Russian hip-hop

Thank you for your attention

Nationalism and Globalization in Russian Hip-Hop

Lika RyginaPhD in sociology

The 12th Annual ASN World Convention, USA, Columbia University, 12-14 April 2007