Rebel with Rhythm, Shatter with Words: Female Rappers smashing the prescribed image of the "Muslim woman"

by Hilal Işık

In the men’s world, in an industry where male domination is so strong, it takes a lot of energy and courage, as a female rapper, occupying a space where one is able to tell her own stories, and things get even more complicated when the Muslim context is involved. The book focuses on the motivation of these musicians, the subjects they touch and the styles they adopt. While discussing this subject in a narrative language under two main headings as Muslim Majority and Muslim Minority Countries, Hilal Işık strengthens her discourse with the lyrics of the rap songs and quotations from the interviews of the musicians. Being a product of author’s own struggle as a feminist woman who was born into a Muslim family, this book also has the characteristic of a reverence to the rebellious women who identify themselves as Muslim or who were born into a Muslim family, that gain the representation they deserve in the Hip-Hop world, and who not only rap but also make rap music about women with their existence, words, rhythms, and styles, and shatter the prescribed ‘Muslim Woman’ image. This work is a collage of how these women using rap music as a tool to empower, inspire, rebel, fight, claim rights and get them.

109 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 29, 2021

Reviews

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating topic I didn't know much about before. A new perspective on culture and feminism.

[Hilal Işık · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I say at the beginning of the book, I was not a rap music fan. This book actually covers my process of discovering rap music and more importantly amazing Muslim female rappers. This work is a collage of how these women using rap music as a tool to empower, inspire, rebel, fight, claim rights and get them. The writing process of the book begins when our paths crossed with WLUML last year and after that the very unusual subject I brought up was highly appreciated and supported by one of the youngest souls in the world, Homa Hoodfar.

Although I did not choose to tell my story with rap music, as a woman who was born into a Muslim-Sunni family, I have similar stories like these rappers. I collected them in the 27 years I spent in the country of my birth (which is a muslim majority country) and then in the last 5 years in Germany. Although I describe myself as an atheist, the fact that I was born into a Muslim family is often perceived as the most important part of my identity by many people. For this reason, I find myself in a battle that I never wanted to be in it. As Sara Ahmed says sometimes the battle chooses you. This book is a part of my battle and a reverence to those amazing women who are reflecting their battle to their music and using rap as a destructive tool.

During the process, I watched and listened to the stories, lyrics, video clips of many women Muslim rapper. As a result of the process, I can say that I still have not turned into a rap music fan. but I am fascinated by the products these women create and the impression they have built.
I hope this book contributes to the awareness of the existence of these inspiring women, the power and the change they create, and it works as a driving force for further research within this field. Because we definitely need that.

[Selen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book portrays a world familiar to us all in many ways.
Everything becomes infuriating when the things we want to do with our lives are judged by ideologies, religions, or simply other people who think have power over our existence. But some of us are strong and are ready to stand tall against all that. Just like thousands of female Muslim rappers around the globe who have found their calling and are making their voices heard by using the power of words, beats, and melody.
Motivation is a big word, but you will get it when you start reading the book.
By the way, search their names, listen to their music, and follow their causes; that’s all it takes.

[All My Friends Are Fictional · Rating 5 out of 5]

"In a man’s world, in an industry where male domination is so strong, it takes a lot of energy and courage, as a female rapper, to occupy a space where you are able to tell your own stories, and things get even more complicated when the Muslim context is involved."

[Deniz Ertuncay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book puts another piece to a very difficult puzzle to solve, being a (Muslim) women in a (Muslim) men dominant society. It may not solve the puzzle but it certainly gives a brief explanation about the problem.

[Tuğberk Talak · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a most revealing book about what women have been through in those countries, using music (rap) as a medium to channel their thoughts to the rest of the world.