A STUDY ON RAP BATTLES IN THE CITY OF SÃO PAULO

Abstract

In a political, social, economic, and cultural context marked by oppression, community movements that strengthen social bonds and stimulate critical reflection become essential. This study aimed to investigate the emancipatory potential of “RAP battles” by analyzing the compositions of the finalists. The goal is to understand, based on the social and world representations underlying these expressions, whether such popular organizations contribute to historical liberation by fostering critical reflection on everyday themes and encouraging processes of de-ideologization. The study was conducted with six participants, all adult rappers who were properly informed about the research. Inclusion criteria were: being a finalist in the observed RAP battles, being 18 years of age or older, and providing informed consent. Exclusion criteria included disqualified participants and/or those under the age of 18. Data collection took place in the eastern zone of São Paulo, during events known as “knowledge battles” – rhyme competitions based on themes suggested by the audience. The spontaneous compositions were recorded during the events and later analyzed through the lens of critical social psychology, being classified as either critical (challenging the status quo) or alienated (submissive to social structures). The results revealed that participants expressed contesting stances, exposing dominant ideologies and the inclusion–exclusion dialectic, supporting the hypothesis that these battles promote autonomy and critical thinking. It is concluded that such cultural practices may contribute to processes of de-ideologization and historical emancipation, reinforcing their role as tools for social transformation.