Renegades: Digital Dance Cultures from Dubsmash to TikTok

Renegades: Digital Dance Cultures from Dubsmash to TikTok explores how hip-hop culture is used to construct and perform identity and maintain a growing urban youth subculture. Dubsmash, social media, and hip-hop music and dance play a significant role in youth identity formation, providing a space for young people to express their cultural and individual identities and form supportive digital communities.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 184 pages
Publication date: 12 October 2021
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

Renegades: Digital Dance Cultures from Dubsmash to TikTok delves into the captivating world of hip hop culture, encompassing music and dance, as a powerful tool for constructing and performing identity and nurturing a vibrant urban youth subculture. This vibrant community finds a haven on Dubsmash, a social media app that enables users to create short dance challenge videos, which they can then share across various social media platforms like Instagram and Snapchat. Author Trevor Boffone takes an insightful journey into the roles played by Dubsmash, social media, and hip hop music and dance in shaping the identity of young individuals in the United States. These so-called Dubsmashers embrace their cultural and individual identities through performance strategies that reinforce notions of community and interconnectedness in the digital age. Through their creative expressions on Dubsmash, these young individuals forge a sense of identity and belonging that is deeply intertwined with hip hop culture. The book makes a compelling argument that Dubsmash serves as a fundamental platform for fashioning contemporary youth identity. To achieve this, the book reclaims the term "Renegade" to describe the nuanced ways in which Dubsmashers utilize visual and sonic space on social media apps to self-fashion identity, form supportive digital communities, and assert their agency in spaces often denied to them in other aspects of their lives.

Introduction:
In the ever-evolving landscape of digital culture, hip hop has emerged as a powerful force, shaping the identities of young individuals worldwide. From its roots in the Bronx to its global dominance, hip hop culture has transcended boundaries, leaving an indelible mark on music, fashion, and social movements. One notable manifestation of this cultural influence is the rise of Dubsmash, a social media app that has become a hub for dance challenges and self-expression. In Renegades: Digital Dance Cultures from Dubsmash to TikTok, author Trevor Boffone explores the intricate relationship between hip hop culture, social media, and the formation of youth identity.

The Power of Hip Hop:
Hip hop culture, with its rich history of storytelling, rhythm, and empowerment, has always been a vehicle for self-expression and social commentary. In the digital age, Dubsmash has provided a platform for young people to showcase their talents, connect with others, and express their unique perspectives. Through dance challenges and creative videos, Dubsmashers have carved out a space for themselves in the online world, building communities and fostering a sense of belonging.

Dubsmash as a Space for Identity Formation:
Dubsmash has become a fundamental space for fashioning contemporary youth identity. The app allows users to record short dance challenge videos, which they can then share on various social media platforms. These videos serve as a means of self-expression, allowing individuals to showcase their skills, style, and cultural background. The platform has also become a space for identity exploration, as Dubsmashers experiment with different looks, styles, and identities, challenging traditional notions of gender, race, and sexuality.

The Role of Social Media:
Social media has played a significant role in the proliferation of Dubsmash and the broader hip hop culture. Platforms like Instagram and Snapchat have provided a global audience for Dubsmashers to showcase their videos and connect with a wider audience. Social media has also facilitated the exchange of ideas, trends, and styles, allowing Dubsmashers to draw inspiration from other cultures and communities.

The Renegade Spirit:
The term "Renegade" is used in the book to describe the nuanced ways in which Dubsmashers take up visual and sonic space on social media apps. Renegades are individuals who challenge traditional norms, break boundaries, and assert their individuality. In the context of Dubsmash, Renegades use their performance strategies to create a sense of community and social media interconnectedness, challenging the dominant narratives of mainstream media and popular culture.

Conclusion:
Renegades: Digital Dance Cultures from Dubsmash to TikTok offers a insightful exploration of the ways in which hip hop culture, social media, and identity formation intersect. The book highlights the power of dance and self-expression to shape contemporary youth identity and challenges the dominant narratives of mainstream media and popular culture. Through its reclamation of the term "Renegade," the book encourages young people to embrace their individuality, challenge norms, and create a sense of community in the digital age.

Weight: 288g
Dimension: 156 x 236 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197577684