Relationships Among Hip-Hop Racial Socialization, Racial Identity, and Achievement Motivation of African American College Students

• In Event: Shape Shifting Identities in Hip-Hop: Spirituality, Hustle, and Authenticity

Abstract

The influence of hip-hop culture and music on African-American youth is profound and can be used as a tool to shape equitable outcomes in education. Guided by the expectancy-value theory of achievement motivation, this survey study explored how racial socialization messages in hip-hop music were related to racial identity, expectations for success, and value for college among 295 African-American undergraduates. Students reported that they received racial socialization messages from hip-hop music, and the messages were positively related to their academic expectancies and values. These relationships were not mediated by racial identity, however. Open-ended survey data revealed that students related to hip-hop artists and that hip-hop music educated and empowered them, which motivated them to succeed in school.

Authors

• Felicia M. Gangloff-Bailey, Roses in Concrete Community School

• Kimberley Edelin Freeman, Howard University