Political Sounds: A Musical Analysis of The Construction and Deconstruction of Nationalism in Post-Hurricane Maria Puerto Rico

Authors

melissa scott, Florida International UniversityFollow

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Major/Program

Global and Sociocultural Studies

First Advisor's Name

Nelson Varas-Díaz

First Advisor's Committee Title

Committee chair

Second Advisor's Name

Julio Capó Jr.

Second Advisor's Committee Title

committee member

Third Advisor's Name

Jorge Duany

Third Advisor's Committee Title

committee member

Fourth Advisor's Name

Celeste Landeros

Fourth Advisor's Committee Title

committee member

Fifth Advisor's Name

Benjamin Smith

Fifth Advisor's Committee Title

committee member

Keywords

Music, Puerto Rico, Politics, cultural nationalism, nationalism, Hurricane Maria

Date of Defense

4-27-2023

Abstract

The goal of this dissertation is to investigate the role of popular music in the political landscape of Puerto Rico post-hurricane Maria. Furthermore, this study explores the ways in which nationalism is constructed and deconstructed through the involvement of musicians in recovery and political efforts on the island. Lastly the dissertation investigates the socio-political backgrounds of the musicians involved in the post-Maria landscape and how their backgrounds help or hinder the ability to cause change. This study utilizes three qualitative techniques to reach these research objectives. The first technique is discourse analysis that examines social media, interviews and lyrics released by six popular Puerto Rican musicians (Bad Bunny, Daddy Yankee, ILe, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Ricky Martin) to further understand the positionality of the musicians in the political landscape of Puerto Rico. These musicians were chosen as the artists who were mentioned prominently on social media post-Maria and were involved in major political events during the recovery process including the protest to oust the governor. The second technique employed is qualitative observations in which the investigator immerses themselves in cultural events in Puerto Rico, specifically musical events, to examine how music impacted the lives of people on the island. Lastly the study utilizes semi-structured interviews to get first-hand commentary on the ways in which music impacted the recovery of Puerto Rico. In using these methods, several findings emerged. For instance, participants noted how popular musicians have become leaders and representatives for Puerto Rico to the outside world. Furthermore, these musicians were politically or culturally nationalistic and reflected the ideological shifts that were occurring post-Maria. Although many Puerto Ricans appreciate the platform given by popular musicians for their causes, the overall demographics of the musicians are not representative of the population. These musicians are wealthier, whiter, and more heteronormative than the activists who started the sovereignty movements on the island. Furthermore, politically active Puerto Ricans saw the musicians’ socio-economic privileges including traveling during times of turmoil as a hinderance to their ability to understand their constituents.

Identifier

FIDC011162

Recommended Citation

scott, melissa, "Political Sounds: A Musical Analysis of The Construction and Deconstruction of Nationalism in Post-Hurricane Maria Puerto Rico" (2023). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 5413.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/5413