"In this important and timely new book, Kamaludeen Nasir showcases the breadth and diversity of Muslim hip-hop around the globe, from female hip-hop hijabis to Muslim hip-hoppers in Sydney, Palestine, London, Kabul, Yogyakarta and elsewhere. Through rich discussions of lyrics, artists and scenes, Representing Islam demonstrates the organic links between Islam and hip-hop culture, and Muslim hip-hop as a vehicle for the September 11 generation to express their everyday concerns."
Bryan S. Turner]]>
In this unique study of young Muslims who represent the September 11 generation, Kamaludeen has opened a new window on the diverse worlds of the Muslim hip-hopper. Through a detailed study of this musical genre across several societies and many years, he has developed a powerful sociological insight into Islam's relationship to popular culture. Muslim Hip-hop, constituting a distinctive global musical culture, is now an important component of new Muslim identities. As a result, the book is a major corrective to existing misrepresentations of Islam.
Timothy P. Daniels]]>
This is a very important topic, handled skillfully, which will make a major contribution to sociological and anthropological studies of Islam, cultural studies, religious studies, and global studies. . . . While there is a growing literature about Hip-Hop in American society or in other particular societies around the world, Kamaludeen's study is unique with the broad perspective it takes presenting data on Muslim hip-hop artists from various contexts, both Muslim minority and majority conditions.
Cheryl L. Keyes]]>
Since Post-9/11, being a Muslim youth comes at a huge expense, often with the suspicion that one is a Jihadist or terrorist. In resistance to this stereotype, hip-hop expands its platform to include the counter-narratives of Muslim youth who comprise a hip-hop ummah. Professor Nasir's pioneering study provides a multitude of refreshing perspectives that address the complexities of representing Islam across ethnic and gendered identities by Muslim youth whom he dubs the Hip-Hop of the September 11 generation. Inspired by the struggles of the African American experience, the author further notes how Muslim youth creates rhymes to express issues and concerns respective to their communities. A welcomed addition to hip-hop and popular music studies!
Michael Gilsenan
This original and stimulating new study illuminates the complex worlds of Muslim Hip-Hop in different countries from France to America to Australia to Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. Racism, rights and interpretations of Islam are central but in so many fluctuating ways in the competitions and variations of consumer culture. Debates and questionings are everywhere: Over the place of music in Islam, relations with the world of nasheed (religious songs) groups that have their own followings, finding paths to being pious and cool with styles of dress and fashion that achieve both but may be demonized by opponents. And what is or should be Islamic entertainment? In the chapter on gender, Hip-Hop Hijabis deal with real attacks and conflicts. The range of material is most impressive. Kamaludeen writes in depth on all these many issues and with a genuine understanding of and respect for the artists and their varying styles. A truly excellent and highly readable book of great contemporary interest.
Sujatha Fernandes]]>
In this important and timely new book, Kamaludeen Nasir showcases the breadth and diversity of Muslim hip-hop around the globe, from female hip-hop hijabis to Muslim hip-hoppers in Sydney, Palestine, London, Kabul, Yogyakarta and elsewhere. Through rich discussions of lyrics, artists and scenes, Representing Islam demonstrates the organic links between Islam and hip-hop culture, and Muslim hip-hop as a vehicle for the September 11 generation to express their everyday concerns.
Michael Gilsenan]]>
This original and stimulating new study illuminates the complex worlds of Muslim Hip-Hop in different countries from France to America to Australia to Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. Racism, rights and interpretations of Islam are central but in so many fluctuating ways in the competitions and variations of consumer culture. Debates and questionings are everywhere: Over the place of music in Islam, relations with the world of nasheed (religious songs) groups that have their own followings, finding paths to being pious and cool with styles of dress and fashion that achieve both but may be demonized by opponents. And what is or should be Islamic entertainment? In the chapter on gender, Hip-Hop Hijabis deal with real attacks and conflicts. The range of material is most impressive. Kamaludeen writes in depth on all these many issues and with a genuine understanding of and respect for the artists and their varying styles. A truly excellent and highly readable book of great contemporary interest.
Cheryl L. Keyes
Since Post-9/11, being a Muslim youth comes at a huge expense, often with the suspicion that one is a Jihadist or terrorist. In resistance to this stereotype, hip-hop expands its platform to include the counter-narratives of Muslim youth who comprise a hip-hop ummah. Professor Nasir's pioneering study provides a multitude of refreshing perspectives that address the complexities of representing Islam across ethnic and gendered identities by Muslim youth whom he dubs the Hip-Hop of the September 11 generation. Inspired by the struggles of the African American experience, the author further notes how Muslim youth creates rhymes to express issues and concerns respective to their communities. A welcomed addition to hip-hop and popular music studies!
Bryan S. Turner
In this unique study of young Muslims who represent the September 11 generation, Kamaludeen has opened a new window on the diverse worlds of the Muslim hip-hopper. Through a detailed study of this musical genre across several societies and many years, he has developed a powerful sociological insight into Islam's relationship to popular culture. Muslim Hip-hop, constituting a distinctive global musical culture, is now an important component of new Muslim identities. As a result, the book is a major corrective to existing misrepresentations of Islam.
Timothy P. Daniels
This is a very important topic, handled skillfully, which will make a major contribution to sociological and anthropological studies of Islam, cultural studies, religious studies, and global studies. . . . While there is a growing literature about Hip-Hop in American society or in other particular societies around the world, Kamaludeen's study is unique with the broad perspective it takes presenting data on Muslim hip-hop artists from various contexts, both Muslim minority and majority conditions.
Sujatha Fernandes
In this important and timely new book, Kamaludeen Nasir showcases the breadth and diversity of Muslim hip-hop around the globe, from female hip-hop hijabis to Muslim hip-hoppers in Sydney, Palestine, London, Kabul, Yogyakarta and elsewhere. Through rich discussions of lyrics, artists and scenes, Representing Islam demonstrates the organic links between Islam and hip-hop culture, and Muslim hip-hop as a vehicle for the September 11 generation to express their everyday concerns.