La Rumeur et son rap: emploi de la rumeur comme fonction discursive contestataire

Abstract

According to many analysts, there were no particular demands made by the protesters in the uprisings that took place in November 2005 in the suburbs of major cities in France. The events were described as being the result of a broad and amorphous frustration and the rioters as not having a language that would have allowed them to articulate coherent demands. This is an undefined social group that manifests its presence through the expression of their violence. Yet, protests and demands have made themselves known through different forms of artistic expression in France and more particularly in Rap lyrics. This article aims at showing how the French Rap band La Rumeur makes use of representations of rumors as a discursive function to protest and spread information. A rumor is a non-verified piece of information, which once recycled in the official discourse works as an intrusive discourse that questions predominantly government's policies. The band draws on existing forms of rumors about the suburbs and the...