Rhymes of resistance

political ideas in the rap of Preta Lu

Abstract

The article explores Rap as a cultural and political element of Hip Hop, highlighting it as a vehicle of resistance and expression for Black and peripheral youth. Focusing on São Luís, Maranhão, the analysis centers on the EP “Rainhas Rebeladas” (2016) by rapper Preta Lu, whose lyrics articulate critiques of racism, sexism, and socioeconomic inequalities. Rap is understood as an expression of the African diaspora, influenced by Afro-American and Caribbean traditions, situating it as a form of subaltern intellectuality aligned with Edward Thompson (1981) and his concept of "experience." We present the possibility of using Rap lyrics as historical sources, based on Reinhart Koselleck (2006) and his theory of "spaces of experience" and "horizons of expectation," as well as Karel Kosik’s (1995) historical dialectics. Preta Lu's trajectory emphasizes her engagement with the Quilombo Urbano Movement and the Preta Anastácia Women’s Nucleus, framing her activism as the foundation for her compositions, supported by Ângela Davis (2016) and Sueli Carneiro (2011), who address the intersectionality of race, class, and gender. The EP “Rainhas Rebeladas” is analyzed through its four tracks, highlighting themes such as female empowerment, structural racism criticism, social inequalities, and peripheral resistance. Preta Lu's work is interpreted as a praxis of resistance, blending art and activism, proposing social transformations through narratives that recover marginalized historical and cultural experiences. We conclude by emphasizing the importance of expanding the history of women in Rap in São Luís, addressing gaps and recognizing contributions from figures like Preta Lu to historiography and political mobilization.