For the best of all listeners: American Islamic hip hop as reminder

Abstract

This article analyzes lyrics of American Islamic hip hop songs that address views of Muslims as threats to American society as well as negative views of Muslim women. As an alternative to these views, hip hop artists remind Muslim listeners of the Qur'anic principle that they are the best of all peoples, so listeners will define themselves according to this principle and therefore persevere in Islamic faith. Musicological analysis follows this lyrical analysis, revealing a shared temporal structure both lyrically and musically, which strengthens these songs' lyrical reminder.