EMINEM & THE CONVERSION OF MASCULINE IDEALS IN RAP CULTURE

Gary Senecal (gsenecal2@gmail.com)
Associate Professor of School Counseling, Assumption University, Worcester, MA, USA

Kevin Roy (kevpatroy@gmail.com)
English Teacher (Grades 9–10), North Yarmouth Academy

Abstract

Throughout his career, Eminem has offered a deep examination of authenticity and masculinity as lived through the radically heteronormative and hegemonic world of hip-hop music. Hip-hop and rap music in the 90s was overwhelmingly dominated by egregious claims to aggression, sexual dominance, and one’s violent capabilities. Eminem’s work moves in stark contrast to the mainstream notion of hegemonic masculinity (dominant, intimidating, and stoically detached from emotions) to an expression of subordinate masculinity (empathic, emotionally vulnerable, and open to critical exposure). Not only is Eminem able to stand between these two traditional norms of masculinity in his positioning as a protector of the oppressed, but he can occupy several categories of masculine identity at the same time.

Keywords: hip-hop, Eminem, masculinity, rap

Author Biographies

Gary Senecal received his PhD in psychology from the University of West Georgia in 2015. He currently serves as an Associate Professor of School Counseling at Assumption University in Worcester, MA, USA. His research focuses on existential psychology, humanistic psychology, the phenomenological psychology of violence, and the career transitions of individuals who have retired from or been deselected from careers that exposed them to regular violent endeavors (in particular, contact sport athletes and military veterans). His current book, American and NATO Ally Reintegration: The Trauma of Social Isolation & Cultural Chasms, compares and contrasts the reintegration experiences of American and NATO ally veterans from the War in Afghanistan. He is a combat veteran of United States Army and resides in Worcester, MA with his family.

Contact details: gsenecal2@gmail.com

Kevin Roy earned his B.A. in English from Saint Anselm College in 2003 and his M.Ed. from the University of Southern Maine in 2016. He has worked professionally in the private sector as a contract writer and operations director, and in the education sector as an admissions officer and a classroom teacher. He currently teaches ninth and tenth grade English at North Yarmouth Academy in Yarmouth, ME where he also coaches the JV golf program, the varsity swim program(s), serves on several committees, and maintains an active student advising schedule. Having always had an interest in the intersection of literature, music, and culture, he happily took the opportunity to collaborate in this effort. He currently resides in Gray, ME with his family.

Contact details: kevpatroy@gmail.com

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