Research on the lyrical content of rap music tends to show that rhetoric in this musical genre reflects a narcissistic identity. However little is known about the “Me” identity in other genres of music. This paper uses Freud’s psychoanalytic approach to narcissistic identity and Klein’s, Kohut’s and Kernberg’s object relations theory as they relate to the narcissistic self within the lyrics of popular rap, pop, and country music. The study uses content analysis to examine the lyrical content and changes found in each genre of Grammy nominated songs from 2008 to 2013. These changes are analyzed through the five ego-defense mechanisms of denial, rationalization, attributional egotism, sense of entitlement, and self-aggrandizement.
About the presenterSheri Whalen
Associate Professor, Department of Communication, Frostburg State University.
Ph.D. University of Missouri