DIVA: Feminism and Fierceness from Pop to Hip-Hop

Benjamin Halligan (Editor), Kirsty Fairclough (Editor), Shara Rambarran (Editor), Nicole Hodges Persley (Editor)

Research output: Book/ReportBook - editedpeer-review

Abstract

The diva – a central figure in the landscape of contemporary popular culture: gossip-generating, scandal-courting, paparazzi-stalked. And yet the diva is at the epicentre of creative endeavours that resonate with contemporary feminist ideas, kick back against diminished social expectations, boldly call-out casual sexism and industry misogyny and, in terms of hip-hop, explores intersectional oppressions and unapologetically celebrates non-white cultural heritages. Diva beats and grooves echo across culture and politics in the West: from the borough to the White House, from arena concerts to nightclubs, from social media to social activism, from #MeToo to Black Lives Matter.

Diva: Feminism and Fierceness from Pop to Hip-Hop addresses the diva phenomenon and its origins: its identity politics and LGBTQ+ components; its creativity and interventions in areas of popular culture (music, and beyond); its saints and sinners and controversies old and new; and its oppositions to, and recuperations by, the establishment; and its shifts from third to fourth waves of feminism.

This co-edited collection brings together an international array of writers – from new voices to established names. The collection scopes the rise to power of the diva (looking to Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Dolly Parton, Grace Jones, and Aaliyah), then turns to contemporary diva figures and their work (with Beyoncé, Amuro Namie, Janelle Monáe, Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, Shakira, Jennifer Lopez, and Nicki Minaj), and concludes by considering the presence of the diva in wider cultures, in terms of gallery curation, theatre productions, and stand-up comedy.
Original languageEnglish
Place of PublicationNew York
PublisherBloomsbury
Number of pages296
ISBN (Electronic)9781501368264
ISBN (Print)9781501368257
Publication statusPublished - 5 Oct 2023

Keywords

  • music
  • music critic
  • Media
  • Digital Culture
  • Popular Music
  • Celebrity
  • Pop music
  • popular culture
  • Music journalism
  • journalism
  • critical analysis
  • critical theory
  • Race
  • Video
  • film
  • Hip-Hop
  • Hip hop
  • Rap
  • stardom
  • cultural identity
  • Communication and Culture
  • Sexism
  • Feminism
  • concert

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  • DIVA: Feminist & Fierce

    Fairclough, K. (Organiser), Rambarran, S. (Participant), Halligan, B. (Participant) & Caesar, P. (Participant)

    14 Nov 2023

    Activity: EventsEvent

  • Y’All! Listening to Divas

    Reed, H. (Organiser), Rambarran, S. (Participant), Fairclough, K. (Participant), Halligan, B. (Participant) & Hodges Persley, N. (Participant)

    13 Oct 2023

    Activity: EventsEvent

  • Y’All! Listening to Divas

    Rambarran, S. (Participant), Fairclough, K. (Participant), Halligan, B. (Participant), Hodges Persley, N. (Participant) & Reed, H. (Participant)

    13 Oct 2023

    Activity: EventsEvent

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