Music and Identity: Exploring the relationship between UK urban music and expressions of identity in youth-orientated black culture in North London

Leinster, Benjamin Philip (2025) Music and Identity: Exploring the relationship between UK urban music and expressions of identity in youth-orientated black culture in North London. Doctoral thesis (PhD), Manchester Metropolitan University.

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Abstract

This thesis explores the relationship between UK urban music, specifically genres such as drill and grime, and the formation of identity among Black youth-orientated culture in North London. Using a constructivist epistemology and grounded theory approach, the research aims to understand how music acts as both a medium for self-expression and a site for negotiating individual and group identities. The study draws upon Social Identity Theory (SIT) and Self-Categorisation Theory (SCT) to investigate the ways music influences social dynamics, self-perception, and group belonging. The main method of data collection was a compressed time mode ethnography which, involved interviews, observations, and informal conversations with young men aged 16–34 mainly from African or Caribbean backgrounds. This research reveals how UK urban music provides a platform for resisting negative societal stereotypes, reinforcing street codes, and navigating socio-economic challenges. Furthermore, the study highlights how self-stereotyping and media representations impact self-esteem and identity expression within this cohort. It discusses the dual role of drill music in both reinforcing and challenging cultural narratives associated with urban Black youth. The findings indicate that while music is a powerful tool for expressing and asserting identity, it is also shaped by structural inequalities and media portrayal, which affect the participants’ ability to see beyond culturally imposed limitations. This research contributes to broader discussions on race, culture, and youth identity in the UK, and suggests that music can play a pivotal role in both the positive and negative aspects of identity development in marginalised communities.