A1 Journal article (refereed)
”Mä kaipaan takas sun luo, sinne missä mun hyvä on” : taiteenlajiin kohdistuva rakkaus rap-artisti Cheekin musiikkivideoissa (2023)
“I Miss Back to You, Where I’m All Good” : themes of Art-focused Love in Cheek’s Rap Music Videos

Pakarinen, A. (2023). ”Mä kaipaan takas sun luo, sinne missä mun hyvä on” : taiteenlajiin kohdistuva rakkaus rap-artisti Cheekin musiikkivideoissa. Lähikuva, 36(2), 26-42. https://doi.org/10.23994/lk.136793

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Pakarinen, Anna

Journal or series: Lähikuva

eISSN: 2343-399X

Publication year: 2023

Publication date: 17/09/2023

Volume: 36

Issue number: 2

Pages range: 26-42

Publisher: Lähikuva-yhdistys

Publication country: Finland

Publication language: Finnish

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23994/lk.136793

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/89216

Additional information: Vertaisarvioidut artikkelit

Abstract

In this article, I explore themes of art-focused love in rap artist Cheek’s music videos. Cheek’s music has been one of the most famous phenomena in Finnish popular culture during the recent decade. I base my examination on the poetic and visual analysis of music videos, following an art philosophic orientation. According to the principles of hip hop studies, I also contextualize my analysis with dialogic theme interview material I have co-produced with Jare Tiihonen, i.e. Cheek. I examine themes of art-focused love in three music videos: “Äärirajoille” (2014), “Sä huudat” (2015) and “Enkelit” (2017). I explore what kinds of poetic and visual features music videos adopt and what kinds of meanings these construct within the theme of art-focused love. In addition, I aim to open new perspectives on characteristic affects related to making art and being an artist in Cheek’s artistic production. I show that art-focused love is an important and fundamentally ambivalent theme in Cheek’s music videos. The multilayered poetics of these music videos represent diverse affects, which are characteristic to making art and being an artist. As depicted in theories of art philosophy, the experience of affects and their subsequent reflection play a fundamental role in Cheek’s rap music videos. Art-focused love is explored in relation to the artist’s dual role, giving rise to interpretations that encompass both positive and negative affects. This paradoxical ethos is emphasized by sublime expression and continuous movement between different kinds of contextual frames. Despite this ambivalence, love focused on the art of rap appears fundamental to experiencing the significance of life, which is also related to promoting resilience.

Keywords: rap music; rappers; musicianship; artistic identity; creative activity; expression (communication); emotions; love; resilience; music videos; aesthetics; poetics

Free keywords: Cheek

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2023

JUFO rating: 2