“Representing this Ossi-thing”

Abstract

In this article, we argue that German rap music can open up insights into current social negotiation processes surrounding the topic of post-migration. By emphasizing “ost” (literally “East”) in “p-ost-migration”, we propose adding a regional perspective to current debates on the concept of post-migration. Such a perspective considers the specific lifeworlds that characterize the living-together in diversity in Eastern Germany. Based on an exploratory study, we put our empirical focus on the growing Eastern German rap scene and show that “Eastern Germany” is playing an increasing role for rappers as identity-forming spatial category, especially since the migration summer of 2015. Our analysis will propose that a reference to “the East” can be used both as a means to take a stand against racism and as a means to feed into current right-wing populist discourses and excluding definitions of “Heimat” (“one’s home turf ”).