Entangled Distinctions and Cultural Ambiguities in Young Peoples’ Perceptions of Swedish Gangster Rap

In Sweden, gangster rap emerged in 2018 as a new cultural expression within the national hip-hop scene. Despite its recent origin, it has become a significant part of youth culture, particularly popular among young people from diverse social backgrounds. This makes it possible to understand young people’s preferences not only as personal expressions of taste but also as symbolic acts linked to social position and identity. This study therefore analyses interviews with 15- to 18-year-olds from various social environments, using conceptualizations from Pierre Bourdieu. The aim is to (a) analyse paradoxes and tensions in youths’ discourse on Swedish gangster rap, and (b) explore how these relate to socio-economic status. Results reveal how gangster rap generates intergenerational and entangled distinctions, alongside cultural ambiguities in youths’ perceptions. These tensions highlight gangster rap as simultaneously mainstream and exclusive, authentic yet exaggerated, fictional but relatable. The study contributes to understanding the complex ways young people engage with gangster rap, showing that it fosters ambivalent cultural modes and entangled distinctions that cut across conventional boundaries and challenge established class positions.