A3 Book section, Chapters in research books
Producing Disgust : Profanation, the Carnivalesque, and Queering as Keys for Understanding the Unsettling Pop Cultural Performance of Die Antwoord (2023)

Ylönen, S. C. (2023). Producing Disgust : Profanation, the Carnivalesque, and Queering as Keys for Understanding the Unsettling Pop Cultural Performance of Die Antwoord. In M. Ryynänen, H. Kosonen, & S. Ylönen (Eds.), Cultural Approaches to Disgust and the Visceral (pp. 191-204). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003205364-20

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Ylönen, Susanne C.

Parent publication: Cultural Approaches to Disgust and the Visceral

Parent publication editors: Ryynänen, Max; Kosonen, Heidi; Ylönen, Susanne

ISBN:  978-1-032-06378-2

eISBN: 978-1-003-20536-4

Publication year: 2023

Publication date: 25/08/2022

Pages range: 191-204

Number of pages in the book: 242

Publisher: Routledge

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003205364-20

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/82883

Abstract

This chapter looks at the terminology that we have for discussing deliberate disgust production. Terms such as profanation, the carnivalesque and queering describe processes that attack, highlight, and possibly question a society’s norms and power relations by portraying something that might otherwise be sacred or conventional in an inappropriate, parodic or weird manner. Since norm violations may induce disgust, these terms may be considered as engaging with disgust. Yet the aims and outcomes of the engagement that they describe seem different. Via a case study of the irritating, disgust inducing performances of the South African rap rave trio Die Antwoord, I show how these terms provide different frames and produce different readings that range from condemning to celebratory. Profanation evokes breaches of sacred or taboo issues; the carnivalesque highlights the communal and celebratory; and queering likely shifts attention to intersections of gender, race and class. The frames and terminology used to describe and make sense of deliberate disgust induction are thus an essential part of constructing performances such as Die Antwoord’s.

Keywords: pop music; hip hop music; rappers; aversion; challenge (questioning); power structures; norms; deviance; profane; carnivalism; gender variance; sexuality (sexual orientation)

Free keywords: queering

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2023

JUFO rating: 3