El rap: las banlieues toman la palabra

Abstract

One of the biggest problems in French society is the integration of banlieues, the outlying deprived neighbourhoods of major French cities. Lack of motivation for studies, juvenile crimes, violence, money, drugs: these are factors that define the people in these areas, which definitely contribute to their exclusion from the system. Despite the fact that most of the people living in banlieues are third generation immigrants, they feel as if they are foreign due to the discrimination they suffer. In this project we will study why is it so difficult for those living in banlieues, especially for children, to integrate into the system and why they have decided to choose rap music and its importance. To this end, we will analyse forty extracts, selected according to the cognitive map created, from eight rap songs. Also analysed will be the purpose of the message of every single extract, which shows two highly distinct voices: the voice of integration and the voice of exclusion. Thus, thanks to this analysis, we will finally see what it is that banlieues want to explain to society through rap music. Also, we will find out just how important school is when it comes to the two voices of the banlieues.