Case Study of the Impact of the Hip Hop Music Industry on the Labor Market Outcomes of African American Women
Authors:
Ashley Compton, NA NAMentor:
Lezlee J Hinesmon-Matthews, Ph.D, Assistant Professor of African American Studies, California State University FullertonCase Study of the Impact of the Hip Hop Music Industry on the Labor Market Outcomes of African American Women Author: Ashley Compton, California State University, Fullerton Mentor: Lezlee J. Hinesmon-Matthews, Ph.D., Department of African American Studies, California State University, Fullerton Researchers have paid very little attention to the labor market experiences of African American women in the hip hop music industry. This study examines the career of an artist to shed light on working conditions and to consider alternative approaches to building a sense of community among female labor force participants. Anecdotal evidence suggests that despite the legions of hopeful hip hop superstars, many fall short of their dreams of success. The literature reveals that this group includes a significant number of African American women employed in jobs as diverse as performers and producers. Using the case study method, this study explores one African American woman’s role in the industry and the labor market conditions in places where she worked. Three in-depth interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview instrument with questions pertaining to the interviewee’s labor force participation. Findings indicate the artist interpreted her experiences as personal events, but did not associate them with the experiences of other women in the industry. The implications of the results for African American women’s sense of community in the labor force of the hip hop music industry are discussed. The study revealed the various roles that African American women occupy in the hip hop industry.