Public Sphere

A public sphere. A place in which a gathering of citizens are able to come together to discuss key issues, ideas and news. A public sphere is open to any citizen that wishes to express opinions. This stems from a theory created by Jurgen Habermas. A virtual or imaginary community that does not thrive in the same space. He compared his theory to an 18th century coffee house, a metaphor of this space of gathering. An egalitarian and open place for everybody to make input. Today a public sphere is highly ‘mediated’. This is due to the media provoking debates about issues that concern people. The rise of the internet today has reiterated Habermas’ theory of the 18th century coffee house as anyone with an internet connection is able to participate and express their opinions freely. HipHop (rap), a genre of music that consists of predominately African American men who have successfully made it through their music. In 2017 ‘R&B/HipHop’ music was the most popular genre in the United States. This figure being 25.4% of consumption Whether it be fast paced hyped Travis Scott rapping style, to the more chilled mellow xxxtentacion beats with subtle meaning and story behind it.

My public sphere,

 a place in which I feel that I can freely and openly express my opinions and ideas within the hiphop, rap scene through the amazing tool of social media. Throughout social media I am apart of pages on Facebook which allow me to contribute and discuss everything rap with these people who feel the sae toward the music we love. Instagram also a vital tool in enabling me to express opinions through commenting with other die hard followers on pages such as Rolling Loud, RapCaviar, Xantacion  and RapSpotlights. Places where I can debate hot topics such as the ignorant labelling of late rapper “XXXTENTACION” born, Jahseh Onfroy a young teenage man, murdered at the age of only 20. He was highly successful and promotional in world peace and positivity in his movement but this legacy was being remembered as a ‘domestic abuser’ and of the likes. An allegation that had been proven to have been confessed to lying by Geneva.  To the labelling criticism of outsiders to rap claiming all rappers of the 20th century are “mumble rappers” which to a degree I can agree but there is way more to the songs then just that, for example the production of the beats which are creatively thought up of.  Those included in these public spheres are fans and followers like myself and even the artists on occasion. All likeminded people towards hiphop. Anyone can be apart of this community as long as you have an internet connection really and want to keep update with this community, discuss and relate to concerts and festivals. Unfortunately this does mean ‘trolls’ too. The media in this public sphere has great significance in two ways. It is key in keeping us fans up to date and in the know on latest news or songs/albums that are upcoming. Helping to promote artists to a global audience, enabling them