“Musica Rap Ed Emancipazione Linguistica Nella Sápmi Contemporanea”

Since the 1970s, music has been a powerful means of self-representation for the Sámi, the only recognized Indigenous peoples of Europe. Sámi artists have engaged and experimented with a wide array of musical genres, among them Rap. Since the mid-2000, SlinCraze (Nils Rune Utsi) has been one of the most popular and influential Sámi rappers. This contribution examines the lyrics of Suhtađit, one of SlinCraze’s most famous songs, in light of the past and current challenges Sami people face on the Norwegian side of Sápmi. In doing so, this paper examines the importance of producing music in an endangered language and addresses the multifaceted ramifications of this practice. The analysis of Suhtađit sheds light upon Indigenous responses to power asymmetries and systemic violence permeating contemporary Norwegian society. This paper shows that, through his music, SlinCraze is engaging in a process of linguistic valorization aimed at instilling positive linguistic attitudes in the younger Sámi population. Rap music does indeed offer young Sámi an empowering tool of self-representation and the possibility of developing a sense of belonging to the Sámi cultures understood as contemporary and dynamic.