Abstract
While a small body of research has implicated rap music as a disseminator of colorist messages, more systematic explorations in this area are needed, particularly among youth. Employing an objectivist grounded theory approach, this study explored contemporary rap music as a medium through which skin color related messages are covertly or overtly transmitted to African American female adolescents. In addition, this study investigated the degree to which such lyrical and visual messages are understood and evaluated by this group. Interviews and focus groups were conducted with African American female adolescents ( N = 30). Iterative coding and thematic analysis revealed rap music to be an influential purveyor of skin color messages, especially with regard to skin tone preferences. Three primary themes emerged: 1) Preferences for light-skinned females, 2) Unfavorable messages about or exclusion of dark-skinned females, and 3) Use of skin color nicknames. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.
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