Stylized Turkish German as the resistance vernacular of German hip-hop

In an investigation of the spread of hip-hop across the globe, we often find that local, non-standard language varieties are intrinsically tied to the projection of an authentic hip-hop identity. These non-prestige language varieties are called resistance vernaculars, because they are often used for critique or rebellion against the structures of society that perpetuate existing power structures. Resistance vernaculars have been integral in the glocalization (local + globalization) of hip-hop. By using local dialects, an authentic hip-hop identity can be expressed that fits within the global understanding of hip-hop as a mode of expression for the politically and socially repressed. Hip-hop’s cultural history as rebellion against those in power is an attractive metaphor for those in other countries feeling similarly repressed by their society and searching for a legitimate means of artistic expression. These “connective marginalities” account for the continued popularity of hip-hop in minority communities around the world. The migrant communities in Germany are no different. Not only has hip-hop been extremely popular as a mode of expression for migrant youth, it has been instrumental in the rebranding of a Turkish-German identity that divorces itself from previous images of the Turk as powerless victim. With this new identity came a new language variety, stylized Turkish German (STG), which has come to be used as an index of an aggressive, street-wise Turkish identity as well as real hip-hopper status.